Chengdu to become key Central City

Quality of life issues propelling Sichuan capital to raise standards

Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, is aiming to develop itself into a National Central City by 2020, and eventually plans to become a sustainable world city by 2050, according to a draft planning document.

National Central Cities, a concept first proposed in 2005, are metropolises meant to lead, develop and perform tasks on a large and effective scale in political, economic and cultural areas.