Mexico and Peru have gained Approved Destination Status, from the Chinese government, allowing Chinese tour groups to visit.

So far, there are six American nations that have gained the status, with Cuba being the first one in 2003. Brazil, Argentina and Chile followed in 2004.

There are no direct flights between China and the Latin American nations and passengers have to transfer via North America or Europe.

Chinese airline companies hoped to open direct flights this year by code-sharing with Latin American carriers.

More than 28.5 million journeys were made by Chinese citizens abroad in 2004. China has become the world's fastest growing outbound tourism nation in the world. Chinese group travelers can now visit 63 nations and regions.

(CRI.com January 31, 2005)