In 2022, Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, will strive to boost total retail sales of consumer goods by about 7.5 percent year-on-year, and imports and exports by about 10 percent, according to a meeting held on March 4.

To achieve these goals, the city will double down on efforts to become an international consumption city, improve the level of opening-up of its pilot free trade zone, and promote the high-quality development of foreign trade.

This year, the city will actively build a more complete and dynamic modern business system by building a number of high-end core business circles and increasing the protection, preservation and development of time-honored catering brands.

A number of demonstration business districts, demonstration pedestrian streets and night-time economic demonstration blocks will also be created.

Xi'an will also hold the 2022 China (Xi'an) E-commerce Expo and actively establish e-commerce demonstration bases and enterprises. The e-commerce trading value is projected to exceed 600 billion yuan in 2022.

The Xi'an area of China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone will increase institutional innovation, optimize its business environment, promote the gathering of advantageous industries, and expand open platforms and trade channels.

In addition, the city will improve the exhibition industrial chain system and service system and hold 313 exhibitions to accelerate its transformation into a Belt and Road international exhibition city.

Xi'an will improve the convenience of its business layout, with no less than 25 high-quality 15-minute life circles and 100 breakfast supply points to be added throughout the year.