Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said Monday morning that Colombia has been listed as the sixth tourism destination for Chinese citizens in South America.

This will help promote the bilateral cooperation in tourism sector and as contacts of the two peoples amplify, the economy and commerce in collaboration between China and Colombia will also be strengthened.

During a breakfast meeting with entrepreneurs from both sides, Xi proposed that work needs to be done with joined hands to create a beautiful future of China-Colombia friendly cooperation.

The economic-commercial cooperation is an important constitution of the friendly cooperative relation between China and Colombia as an impetus substantial for the deepening of the bilateral ties.

Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos was also present at the meeting.

Colombia is one of the biggest attractions for worldwide travelers. According to official statistics, more than one million visitors came in from overseas last year.

Before Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Venezuela were the only South American countries as tourism destinations for Chinese citizens.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2009)