The Russian side is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in international tourism departments in the World Tourism Organization and in APEC to increase influence and competitiveness of both countries in the international arena, he added.

Du Jiang and Gregory Sarishvili signed minutes of the meeting after it ended, and witnessed the signing of the bilateral framework agreement on traveler emergency relief and insurance cooperation by the China Association of Travel Services and the Russian Tourism Association.

The bilateral framework agreement on traveler emergency relief and insurance cooperation was signed.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Tao Miheng, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in China, Yu Chong, head of the Shandong Tourism Bureau, and other officials from tourism departments, associations and insurance companies on both sides, were present at the meeting.