Enhancing Sino-Japanese tourism exchange is beneficial to both peoples, Shao Qiwei, director of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) told a Japanese delegation in Beijing on Thursday.  

The delegation was headed by Kimitaka Fujino, member of Japan's house of councilors.

Shao said tourism is a bridge of friendship, and exchanges can not only enhance understanding, but also promote relations between countries.

He said Japan has been China's biggest inbound tourist source for many years. Last year, some 3.33 million Japanese tourists visited, and the number of Chinese tourists to Japan continues to increase.

In the first quarter of 2005, the number of Chinese tourists reached 287,000, up 12 percent on the previous year.

Shao said China is a safe tourist destination, which has gained a global recognition that has ensured its rapid development in recent years, and that the government will spare no efforts in guaranteeing tourists' safety.

Kimitaka said China is a big potential tourism market and that he will let Japanese people know that China is safe for Japanese tourists.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2005)