China has approved the opening of tourist routes to an additional nine countries, including eight in Africa and one in western Asia, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

The routes to the nine countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Jordan, will open December 15, according to memorandums of understanding (MOU) CNTA signed with the nine countries.

According to the MOUs, Chinese travel services can start bringing tourist groups to the nine countries from December 15 after establishing cooperation and signed relevant contracts with their counterparts in these countries.

China has opened tourist routes to 63 countries and regions in the world.

(People's Daily Online October 15, 2004)