(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2007-11-08 14:59

The United States is likely to become a new tourism destination for Chinese travellers after the two countries kick off a new round of negotiations on the issue very soon. Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported that the meeting is scheduled for later this month, wherein the US could be added to China's destination list by the end of the year if everything runs smoothly.

Both sides expressed the hope of reaching an Approved Destination Status (ADS) Memorandum of Understanding within the year, one which will facilitate Chinese tour groups visiting the US.

China Central Television (CCTV) quoted Du Jiang, deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), as saying that the talks could be concluded if expected results are made at the upcoming meeting.

China and the US launched negotiations last year after both sides noted a rising number of tourists visiting the other country in recent years.

Statistics from CNTA indicate that 2,350,000 tourists travelled between China and the US last year.

To date China has signed ADS travel agreements with 86 countries and regions worldwide, including Germany, South Korea and United Kingdom, all of whom can now offer Chinese travellers tourism visas.