Xi'an Port took another step toward the outside world with the recent linking of the Shaanxi capital with Samarqand, Uzbekistan.

The link was forged during a meeting on April 9 at the Xi'an International Trade and Logistics (ITL) Park which sought to promote exchange between 150 Chinese and Uzbekistan entrepreneurs.

At the conference, universities from both sides signed a memorandum of understanding to boost connections in education and research. Strategic cooperation agreements were also signed with companies such as Xi'an Huannan International Food City, Shaanxi Construction Machinery Co, Hualu Group and Longy Group.

The event is part of ITL's effort to expand economic cooperation with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and bring in a new wave of cultural exchange, said Su Guofeng, deputy director of the ITL administrative committee.

As the first international inland port in China, the ITL Park strives to be a transportation hub for the Belt and Road Initiative and a platform for Asia-European trade and cultural exchange.

The ITL Park attaches great importance to international trade, modern logistics, port-centered industry, financial services, e-commerce, and culture and sports. Since its designation as part of the China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the park has made efforts to facilitate the development of trade, investment, finance and services.

Chinese enterprises were encouraged to make the most of the Xi'an Port and free trade zone and take advantage of the potential business opportunities with Uzbekistan in an attempt to spearhead innovation and entrepreneurship within the Belt and Road Initiative.

With a history stretching back 2,500 years, Samarqand has benefited greatly from the Belt and Road Initiative. By the end of 2018, the Central-Asian city plans to open weekly airlines between Xi'an and Samarqand for tourists and investors, further boosting economic ties, according to the deputy governor of Samarqand.

Interactions between Xi'an and Samarqand can be traced back more than 2,000 years, said the director of Nurobod district in Samarqand.

Nurobod is blessed with abundant Jade and agate resources. The director hopes to take a page out of China's book and process them into valuable handicrafts.

Inspired by the Xi'an Port, he also expressed hopes of establishing a similar logistics trade hub.