Dalian airport should be major hub, lawmakers say

Dalian is well-known as a center of trade, finance, tourism and information in Northeast Asia.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, the city's annual growth rate for domestic and foreign tourist visits was 10.7 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.

Annual sales revenue in the city's software sector reached nearly 100 billion yuan ($15.33 billion) with software exports ranking first in the country. In addition, the trade exhibition industry has become an important pillar of Dalian's economy and one of the main sources of local income.

According to the Dalian International Airport website, it is one of four major airports in Northeast China, attracting 36 airlines both from home and abroad. Dalian is linked to 59 domestic cities and 29 cities in other countries and regions via 146 routes.

In 2019, the airport's annual passenger throughput exceeded 20 million and the annual international passenger throughput reached 2 million.

Liaoning Daily contributed to the story.