The British embassy issued the first group tourist visas Wednesday, kicking off the flow of group Chinese visitors to the United Kingdom.

Both UK and China have ancient history and culture. The two nations are both important economies now. The tourism cooperation will help increase bilateral political and trade exchanges, said Christopher Hum, British ambassador to China.

Chinese tourists can now apply for tourist visa via authorized travel agencies. When all documents are ready, only five days are needed for visa issuing, said Paul Sherar, director of British visa section in China.

The first tour group will set out on July 24. For Chinese citizens, UK is an attractive and popular destination, said Charlie Li, representative of Visit Britain in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2005)