Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen has called on all areas to give priority to the protection of natural resources and the environment while developing tourism.
During his inspection tour to Chongqing Municipality and Hubei Province between April 27 and May 4, Qian stressed the importance of continuous protection of the environment and prudent exploitation and utilization of resources when localities are working hard to develop tourism.
He said efficient environmental protection assists in the sustainable exploitation of tourism resources, while the development of tourism helps reduce environmental problems.
Qian, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, called for greater efforts to bring order to the tourism market, improve services given to tourists and protect their legitimate rights and interests.
Qian said that construction of the massive Three Gorges project is not only beneficial to China in terms of flood control, electricity generation and navigation, but will also bring new opportunities for the development of tourism.
He encouraged the people in Chongqing and Hubei to seize any opportunity to develop the local tourist industry.
(Xinhua News Agency, May 5, 2002)
