Marriott International has reached its latest milestone in China, with the signing of the 345-bedroom JW Marriott Hotel Shenyang to become its 100th property in the country.

The US-based hospitality group currently operates 56 hotels across China under a number of its brands, with an additional 44 projects now confirmed as being in the pipeline.

China is seen as one of Marriott International's most important markets other than the US, and the group is to open one hotel a month in China for at least the next three years.

There are currently 11 properties operated under the signature Marriott Hotels and Resorts brand in China, with a further 17 more to open over the coming years.

Luxury brand JW Marriott's presence stands at six hotels, with four more to open by 2014. The Renaissance Hotels, Ritz-Carlton and Courtyard brands are also poised for expansion.

Marriott International's Simon Cooper, said: "China is an incredible market and it is a great endorsement of our operations in the country that we have reached the benchmark of 100 hotels open or under development here.

"Asia is a key market for us, and China is the driver of Asia: we are totally committed to the country and to our operations here."