In line with the action plan "China-India year of friendship through tourism-2007", China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Indian Tourism and Culture Ministry jointly hosted the inauguration of the China National Tourist Office opening in New Delhi Monday night.

It is the official Chinese tourist office affiliated to CNTA with a responsibility to promote China as a tourist destination in the growing Indian outbound travel market.

Mr Shao Qiwei, Chairman of CNTA said that the opening of Tourist Office in India will further promote bilateral relations and Sino-India friendship. "China and India have been warming up tourism exchange this year", he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said the opening of CNTA office is in conformity with the action plan adopted by the two countries in February this year. She said it is also an indication of the importance that the government of China attaches to expanding people to people links with India through tourism.

Before the opening of the Chinese office, the India-China Tourism Forum was held to exchange information for future cooperation in the tourism sector between the two countries. More than 120 delegates from India and China attended the meeting. Two countries' tourism officials also held a brief meeting to discuss ways to further promotion of bilateral relations in tourism sector.

A high level Chinese Tourism Delegation organized by CNTA arrived in India on Sunday at the invitation of the Minister Soni. A series of events will be held in New Delhi and Mumbai during the stay of the Delegation in India which include China Tourism Night in New Delhi and Mumbai.