Big rise in China-US tourism in 2016
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Chinese vice premier Wang Yang speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2016 China-US Tourism Year. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Lv Xiaohong]

Chinese tourists have made nearly three million trips to the US this year, up almost 15 per cent on last year, with the huge influx creating some 45,000 direct jobs and 230,000 indirect jobs in the US.

The first three quarters of this year also witnessed a big rise of 7.3% in the number of US visitors to China.

The combined number of Chinese and U.S. tourists visiting each other's country is expected to exceed five million this year.

The figures were revealed by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang at the closing ceremony of the 2016 China-U.S. Tourism Year, held Sunday evening in Washington DC.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama both sent their congratulations at the successful conclusion of the gigantic bilateral exchange program.

President Xi recalled the announcement he and President Obama made during his visit to the U.S. last year, saying the event was designed to promote the building of a new model of major country relationship, pushing forward practical cooperation and enhancing people-to-people friendship between the two countries.

He pointed out that the growth of China-US relations required the participation and support of their peoples. The President said he hoped the two sides would build on the success of the China-US Tourism Year to sustain the momentum of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and reinforce the social foundation for the development of China-US relations.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at the closing ceremony of the 2016 China-US Tourism Year. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Lv Xiaohong]

President Xi's congratulatory letter was read by Vice Premier Wang Yang who is also heading the Chinese delegation at the China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade to be held in Washington DC this week.

Wang said China is willing to work with the US side to further facilitate visa policies and provide more convenient, comfortable and secure services for tourists.

He also pledged to further open up the Chinese market to foreign investors, adding that although China-US Tourism Year was drawing to a close, the show of tourism cooperation between the two countries had only just begun.

His remarks were echoed by US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. She noted that despite the tremendous increase of Chinese visitors to the United States, the number was only a small proportion of trips made by Chinese people overseas. She encouraged the US tourism industry to further tap the Chinese market.

She also read out a congratulatory message from President Obama, which noted that the US-China Tourism Year has enabled the American and Chinese peoples to experience new cultures, explore new places and get to know each other.

President Obama said in his letter that "A future of peace and prosperity and friendship depends on our efforts to understand each other. That is why the United States will continue to welcome the Chinese people to our shores, whether to hike to our national parks, dine in our vibrant cities, or learn more about our rich history. I also encourage Americans to discover all China has to offer".

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan