US Ambassador to China Gary Locke announced that the US Mission to China adjudicated more than one million US visas for Chinese applicants during fiscal year 2011, according to the official website of US Embassy in Beijing.

Statistics of the Department of Commerce show more than 801,000 Chinese visited the United States in 2010. These visitors added more than $5 billion to the US economy.

The US Embassy in Beijing and Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Chengdu all contributed to this accomplishment, which represents a 34 percent increase over last year.

Locke stressed the significance of this achievement, "The US-China relationship is profoundly important, and welcoming Chinese visitors to the United States strengthens our cultural and commercial ties."

The US Mission to China said it will continue to reduce visa interview wait times to the greatest extent possible by adding staff and eliminating inefficiencies wherever possible.