China has a great potential and broad prospect in developing its tourism industry and tourism industry is playing an increasingly bigger part in the country's economy and in improving people's living standards.
Premier Zhu Rongji made the remark while meeting with delegates attending a national conference on the development of the tourism industry which was held from January 8-9.
In his addresses, the premier pledged to give greater support to the tourism industry that has made remarkable achievements since China started reforms and opening-up policy in the late 1970s.
All localities should work out plans on developing a local tourism industry, and make good use of local tourism resources, Zhu said.
He called for greater efforts in building infrastructure, strengthening control and standardizing activities, in order to open up a new situation for the country's tourism industry.
Vice Premier Qian Qichen also addressed the opening session of the conference.
During the two-day conference, the participants analyzed favorable aspects that China has in developing tourism industry. In the new century, China will have better conditions for developing the industry, including the improved living standards of the people, the upcoming entry into the World Trade Organization, the economic globalization, and increase of exchanges between people from different countries, according to conference.
A guideline for the future development of the country's tourism industry was proposed at the conference, which demands more investment in the tourism industry, better use of tourism industry to develop other related industries, crackdown on illegal activities in the local tourism market, and protection of tourism resources.
(People’s Daily 01/10/2001)
