Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province in China's interior, has accelerated steps to enhance overseas investment, particularly from the United Kingdom.

The southwestern city is striving this year to upgrade its financial, medical and education sectors, all deemed attractive to British interests, said Zhao Yun, chair-woman of the British Chamber of Commerce Southwest China.

By the end of 2013, Chengdu had drawn more than 80 British enterprises, including Standard Chartered Plc and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, with investment of $210 million, according to data from Chengdu.