China's tourism industry had attracted US$50 billion of foreign investment by the end of 2002, about 11 percent of the total foreign investment of US$450 billion in China.

Information from the ongoing China international tourism fair held Friday in this southwest China city showed tourism industry was among the first of China's industries opening to the outside world.

Currently, Shangri-la, Hilton, Sheraton and other renowned international hotel groups have entered the Chinese market, and 10joint venture travel agencies have been established in China.

The National Tourism Administration has set up 15 overseas offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, New York, London and other cities.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2003)