The city of Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province has directed its future development towards an enhanced international touch. Along with a gamut of polices, the city has initiated building international neighborhoods, to engage more people from other countries, and make their stay much easier. CGTN reporter Meng Qingsheng caught up with expatriates in the city, and filed this report.

Visiting a time-honored tea house in downtown Chengdu, John O'Connell can't wait to join locals to savor a laid back moment in his day. The 61-year-old American followed his wife to the city four years ago.

JOHN O'CONNELL US EXPAT IN CHENGDU "As more foreigners come, to either live here like myself, local foreigner, or to just to come to visit. As the city sees more of us, they become more and more accommodating."

The place where John and many other newcomers choose to stay is the Tongzilin community. Over the past year, it has rolled out measures, to make life easier for expatriates, such as a "Foreigner's Home" that handles entry and exit management, among other services.

NANCY ARROYO MEXICAN EXPAT IN CHENGDU "I've never had any problems living here, any challenge. Everything has been so easy. Every day, they do things surprising, like they put a corner that has books and have messages for foreign people. When I saw that I feel touched because they care about us."

These efforts are part of Chengdu's initiative to build international neighborhoods. The city boasts the highest number of foreign visits in central and western China. They come from over 30 countries and regions.

ZHANG JIARONG, HEAD TONGZILIN INT'L NEIGHBORHOOD "We hope, through all the activities and services we have offered, expatriates here can feel that they are an integral part of the neighborhood, where they feel free to greet and interact with locals. We'd like to share something they need, and make their life easier."

MENG QINGSHENG CHENGDU "Currently, there are nearly 20 thousand foreigners living and working in Chengdu city. More than 10 percent of them are actually based here in Tongzilin, making it the largest international neighborhood in the city. It's a place where they can get easy access to basic facilities and customized services. Chengdu is planning to build more communities like this where foreigners can settle and call home."

Local departments are carefully drafting a five-year blueprint, to build 45 international neighborhoods across the city. Experts are invited to work out the best possible design, fitting its long-term development.

ZHENG ZHI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEV'T & GOVERNANCE COMMISSION, CPC CHENGDU COMMITTEE "What we have done is aimed to enhance the overall quality of life in Chengdu, and engage more expatriates to live and work in the city, where they are able to contribute their shares to the communities. Chendgu will open up further as more and more expatriates and foreign institutions come to the city."

For John O'Connell, apart from part-time teaching at a local school, he also works as a volunteer, patrolling the community and helping others solve daily life problems.

JOHN O'CONNELL US EXPAT IN CHENGDU "We invested in the community. You know, we shop local. You know, we do things local, meet local people. So the longer we're here, the longer it becomes."

John says, settling in Chengdu has been one of the best moves his family has ever made. His plan now – is to stay in the community as long as possible.

Meng Qingsheng, CGTN, Chengdu, Sichuan Province.