Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has revealed its ambition to unveil a one new hotel every two weeks in China as part of an aggressive expansion into the country.

The Chinese market is now the company's second largest behind the US, with more than 70 existing properties and a pipeline in excess of 90 hotels. Eight of Starwood's nine brands currently have a Chinese presence, with 35 Sheraton Hotels and Resorts open and a further 40 to launch - including sites in Chongqing and Huzhou.

Four Points by Sheraton is planning to add to its existing 12 Chinese sites with a further 13 - primarily in second and third tier cities, as well as "tertiary markets". Meanwhile, the Westin brand has a pipeline of 13 new hotels to add to the existing portfolio of 11. Three new St Regis-branded hotels are due to open this year.

The Astor Hotel, Tianjin, is the first of five hotels to open under The Luxury Collection and W Hotels is to expand its presence from one to five properties as part of Starwood's plans. Le Méredien and Aloft will also see a combined total of nine new properties unveiled in the Chinese market - three for Le Méredien and six for the new Aloft brand.

Starwood president and CEO Frits van Paasschen said: "Many predict that more than 70 per cent of the world's growth over the next decade will come from emerging markets, which is consistent with Starwood's skew towards development in these markets." Image: Sheraton Xiamen - WPPilot