With the tourist industry taking shape in Beijing, local authorities now plan to cash in on the increasing number of conferences and exhibitions to be held here.

Yu Changjiang, director of the municipal tourism administration,announced the plan at Sunday's seminar on the issue.

Beijing has a special attraction to domestic and overseas tourists because it is China's political, economic and cultural center. A solid foundation has been laid for the city to host meetings and exhibitions of various kinds, according to the official.

The successful Olympic bid will create more opportunities for the city to develop its conferencing and exhibiting industry, Yu said.

In 2000, China hosted 1,684 international conferences and exhibitions, 40 percent were held in the capital, according to official figures.

( Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2001)