The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has listed Chinese as one of its official languages, according to China's tourism administration.

Chinese has already been made the official language of organizations such as the World Health Organization, World Bank, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Therefore, China had urged the UNWTO to follow the suit, said Du Jiang, deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

Du said China could play a more active role in international tourism issues after Chinese became UNWTO's official language.

It would also promote exchanges and cooperation between China and other UNWTO members, Du said.

The proposal to make Chinese the official language was passed at a recent UNWTO meeting held this week, and it will become effective when two thirds of the member countries approve the proposal.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2007)