Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C) announced the opening of M Hotel Chengdu Tuesday.

The 196-room M Hotel Chengdu is M&C's latest venture in China, a 13-minute drive from Shuangliu International Airport and a five-minute walk from Xin Nan Tian Di, south of Chengdu.

Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister in Prime Minister's Office and Mr Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, attended the inauguration ceremony.

M&C Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng said, "Singapore has fostered a strong relationship with China by helping local enterprises invest and do business in China for the mutual benefit. Today, we witness an example of this strong relationship."

He added: "We are pleased with our government's collaboration with the Sichuan government through the Singapore-Sichuan Hi Tech Innovation Park. We will be signing a memorandum of understanding to invest in this park later today. Hong Leong Group Singapore will also continue our commitment here in Sichuan both as an investor and a partner."

Mr Kwek is also executive chairman of Hong Leong Group Singapore, the parent of M&C Hotels.