US, China toast tour success

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-22  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

AS the inaugural Chinese tour group concluded their United States sojourn, both US and Chinese tourism officials have been pondering how to establish more mature, persistent and broad cooperation for mutual benefit.

About 250 Chinese travelers from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou ended their four-day tour in Washington, DC on Friday, saying they had received an unprecedented high-level welcome.

Their arrival at the international airport were awaited by a jazz band and senior officials of US Commerce Department, including Assistant Secretary William Sutton, with greeting banners.

They were offered exclusive tours to the US Congress and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and a welcome ceremony at a Senate building by Senator from Hawaii Daniel Kahikina Akaka, who congratulated the Chinese guests for witnessing the milestone in tourism cooperation between the two countries.

At a reception on Thursday night, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez wished them a "good cultural experience, happy memories, great photographs and new friends" in the United States.

He praised China's handling of the Sichuan earthquake, and congratulated China on its Olympics preparations.

"I feel warmly welcomed here," said a visitor, Ms Peng. "I will bring back these good memories and advise my friends to visit America."

Shao Qiwei, chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, said the program of Chinese leisure groups to the US will be gradually expanded.