As China steps up efforts at international financial integration, Tianjin will be a significant player in the process, Cui Jindu, vice-mayor of Tianjin, told a recent financial summit in Kunming.

"Finance is at the core of a country's international economic competitiveness," he remarked.

After China's opening-up began more than three decades ago, it has undertaken increasing efforts to promote financial reform and internationalization that matches its actual economic growth.