In recent years, Malaysia has been trying to attract more Chinese tourists. This year Malaysian tourism authorities are doing this through exhibitions in cities in central and west China.

Statistics show that Malaysia received 190,000 Chinese visitors in 1999. Last year, the number increased to 400,000, more than double the 1999 figure, according to Ng Yen Yen, Malaysia's deputy minister of culture, arts and tourism.

Since the beginning of this year the Malaysian government has intensified its tourism promotion by setting up tourism offices in Beijing and Shanghai, simplifying visa formalities, opening more charter flights and staging promotion exhibitions.

Recently a promotion activity has been broadcast daily on CCTV (China Central Television) channels inviting Chinese to tour Malaysia, fronted by the actress who starred in the big winner movie of the 2001 Oscar Awards -- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Malaysia has put great effort into developing tourism, which has become the second-largest source of the country's foreign exchange, earning it 4.5 billion U.S. dollars last year, according to statistics.

Each year 240,000 Malaysian tourists travel to China with most touring Beijing and coastal regions like Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen, in Fujian Province.

Yunnan, with its unique natural scenery and diverse ethnic customs, is attracting an increasing number of Malaysian tourists as this year the Malaysian tourism authorities have developed new tourist routes in China, the minister adds.

(People's Daily December 20, 2001)