As leaders and senior officials of 48 African countries gathered in Beijing, they also brought a trend of the mysterious continent to the capital of China.

 

Banners on the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which concluded on Sunday, can be seen in almost all the major streets of Beijing such as the Tian'anmen Square, Xidan and Wangfujing.

 

In front of the 155 large picture posters showing the beautiful scenery and colorful lifestyles of Africa in the street of Wangfujing in downtown Beijing, people queued up waiting to take photos.

 

"I hope I can visit Africa one day, it's really fascinating," said a passerby.

 

China has granted tourist destination status to 26 African countries, according to an action plan endorsed by Chinese and African leaders Sunday.

 

With the new decision of the Chinese government to extend the Approved Destination Status (ADS) to nine African countries including Algeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Gabon, Rwanda, Mali, Mozambique, Benin and Nigeria, there are now 26 ADS countries in Africa.

 

According to several travel companies in Beijing, an increasing number of people inquired about traveling to Africa. In each of the large travel companies, more than 200 tourists registered for the tour to Africa this month, up 30 percent compared with the same period of last year.

 

In the Tian'anmen Square outside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the historic summit, national flags of 48 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China were blowing in the strong wind on Sunday.

 

A couple were competing with each other on how many national flags they can recognize.

 

Two exhibitions, one of coins and stamps from 48 African countries and the other of African handicraft, were shown in the National Museum on the east side of the Tian'anmen Square, attracting lots of students and tourists.

 

In a large book shop in Xidan, a special shelf was set up for the books featuring African culture, history, people and tourism.

 

A manager of the book shop said that the special shelf was set up on October 31, and the books are welcomed by readers. "The CDs and DVDs on Africa are very popular, and some of the African musical products have been sold out."

 

In a restaurant of African food in the Chaoyang District, east of Beijing, it's hard to find a seat in the recent week. The unique foods and hot African dances attracted many people.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2006)