Officials from 40 cities in southwest China signed a framework on Sunday in Guilin's Yuzi Paradise park, promising to build a non-barrier tourist region.

The agreement was signed at the 16th southwestern economic region mayors' joint meeting. The joint meeting, first launched in 1986, is an open organization that aims to promote economic links among cities.

The signing of framework aims to promote a tourist design on a regional basis and make good use of the complementary resources within the region. It also promotes sharing in tourist source, information, resources and market exploitation.

According to the agreement, the region will establish a corporative network and set up a presidential rotating system to host regular joint meetings.

In a short time, the cities intend to establish a regional information database to realize information exchange and set up a "green" channel. They will also build a warning and incident reporting system on major holidays and some joint programs will be held on personnel training, too.

(Chinanews.cn September 26, 2005)