Nine cities along the Maritime Silk Road pledged to work together to promote tourism along the route, according to a declaration signed on Nov 15.

The nine cities included Penglai in Shandong province, Fuzhou, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou in Fujian province, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Nanjing and Yangzhou in Jiangsu province, Ningbo in Zhejiang province and Beihai in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Tourism representatives from these cities signed the "Fuzhou Declaration" at the first Maritime Silk Road (Fuzhou) International Tourism Festival which begun in Fuzhou, Fujian province on Nov 15.

Based on the declaration, the cities will make joint efforts to promote the tourism brand of Maritime Silk Road and boost tourism economy.

Meanwhile, the first tourism festival has attracted 700 delegates from 30 countries and regions including the US, UK, Italy, Russia, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

Running through the end of December, the festival will highlight sports tourism by holding a string of sport events, covering badminton, cycling, basketball and marathon.

Tourism representatives from the nine cities sign the “Fuzhou Declaration” at the first Maritime Silk Road (Fuzhou) International Tourism Festival in Fuzhou, Fujian province on Nov 15. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]