Beijing (VNA) – ASEAN and China havesought to increase respective tourist arrivals in their markets, viewing tourismlinks as an important part in cultural exchanges and cooperation and helping promotethe sector’s growth and inclusive socio-economic development.

At a workshop on sustainable tourism developmentin Beijing on June 20, Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Centre Yang Xiupingsaid the number of Chinese tourists to ASEAN reached 19.8 million in 2016, ayear-on-year rise of 6.4 percent, while 10.34 million tourists from the blocarrived in China the same year, up 57.8 percent against 2015.

The total number of visitors between the twosides has surpassed the 2020 target of 30 million, she noted.

Deputy head of the department of market andinternational relations under the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA)Sun Bo said China has become one of the biggest tourism markets for the ASEANcountries.

The administration always attaches greatimportance to tourism cooperation and established close cooperative relationswith the ASEAN nations.

A photo exhibition highlighting land, culture,and people of Southeast Asia was held as part of the workshop.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand andVietnam. - VNA