These are steps to promote environment-friendly tourism and seek sustainable development in the long term.

The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) has worked out goals for resource-abundant provinces to develop ecotourism during the country's tenth five-year plan period for 2001-2005.

Local governments will strengthen their awareness of environmental protection, and introduce a series of new products, such as ice-snow tours, bird-watching tours and sea-view tours.

"Resources protection and rational exploitation are two important aspects of the healthy growth of China's tourism, which we will put more emphasis on," said He Guangwei, director of the CNTA.

The ecotourism activities, based on various kinds of ecotourism resources, have been expanding rapidly across the country, and a further growth of tourism income is expected in the near future.

"We have developed a series of ecotourism products including routes to the Lushan and Jinggang mountains, which have so far brought about both social and economic benefits," said Wu Wenfeng, director of the tourism administration of Jiangxi Province.

The Chinese government will continue to promote ecotourism projects, giving priority to environmental protection ideas, said a senior official with the CNTA.

Local governments have also come to realize the importance of sustainable development in attracting more tourists to scenic spots.

Experts hold that it is a common choice for all countries to advocate the harmony of the environment and the economy. As an environment-friendly industry, tourism has a great responsibility.

(People's Daily 05/14/2001)