Traditional spicy chili oil hotpot is divided into nine sections. MAI TIAN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Other large hotpot chains joined with He to promote the cuisine overseas, such as Pei Jie, Qin Ma and Liuyishou, with the latter even setting up an international branch, with the aim of opening 100 outlets worldwide.

There are more than 200 Chongqing hotpot restaurants overseas, including those in the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, according to the association, and there is strong growth momentum.

The Chongqing government also pays great attention to the cuisine's development.

In 2012, it announced a plan to build Chongqing into a "food capital" on the upper reaches of the Yangtze, featuring hotpot and other local specialties.

Under this plan to build the city into a well-known international travel destination, Chongqing hotpot will become a local cultural brand.