Sichuan Province in southwest China has set up its first tourism corporation in the capital city of Chengdu.

Chengdu Panda Tourism Group Ltd. is comprised of five major tourism enterprises, an international exhibition center and the Sichuan Daily Group Company.

Zhong Mian,director of the provincial tourism administration, said that the province is a major home to the giant panda, and the giant panda is the most famous symbol of Sichuan. Panda Group will make use of this connection to attract more domestic and overseas tourists.

He said the group will be able to handle 60 percent of the total overseas tourists to come to the province, and carry out cooperation projects with 40 tourism companies in Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Great Britain.

(Xinhua 07/09/2001)