Dalian, China's information technology outsourcing hub, yesterday opened a software park in Tokyo, Japan, the first such facility set up by a Chinese city overseas.

Dalian is a major software outsourcing base for Japan due to its geographical proximity and skilled workforce. The park is expected to strengthen Dalian companies' ties with clients in Japan and help small companies in Dalian cut costs when expanding their presence in Japan, said Dalian Vice-Mayor Dai Yulin.

More than 20 Dalian companies have so far set up their offices in Japan. By mid-November, over 35 companies signed contracts to move into the park.