A Boeing aircraft from Shenzhen Airline

Shenzhen Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding with the Star Alliance on July 6, paving the way for the carrier to become the second Chinese member of the world's first and largest airline alliance after Air China.

Joining the Star Alliance will help enhance competitiveness of the carrier and forge Shenzhen into an international city, said Feng Gang, president of Shenzhen Airlines.

Jaan Albrecht, chief executive officer of the alliance, said he hopes to see the carrier become an official member of the alliance as soon as possible.

Founded in 1997, the alliance has 27 member airlines and their flights reach 1,160 airports in 181 countries with an annual passenger number of more than 600 million.

Star Alliance has grown quickly in recent years as it adds new member airlines every year to compete with SkyTeam. China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, the country's two biggest airlines by passenger traffic, are members of SkyTeam.