URUMQI, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- An international hospital began operation on Friday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to provide cross-border health services for neighboring countries.

With an investment of 850 million yuan (about 121 million U.S. dollars), the Phase I project of Urumqi International Hospital covers 57,000 square meters. It has 355 medical staff and has set up studios for leading doctors and an international medical department, aiming to provide medical services for Central and Western Asian countries.

Located in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Urumqi is to be built as a center of transportation, trade and logistics, financial services, and medical services.

Liu Jinping, director of the hospital, said that the hospital has already established links with 24 hospitals in five countries through a cross-border telemedicine service platform.

The hospital has also equipped with modern facilities, such as solar water heating system, logistics system, underground three-dimensional parking garage, first aid apron, according to Liu.

Since the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward, Xinjiang has launched the construction of a medical service center of the Silk Road Economic Belt, to boost the development of health services and tourism.