India, China pledge to promote tourism

New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) Tourism Minister Ambika Soni today said development had taken centrestage of Indo-China relations and expressed the hope that the bilateral ties would enter a vibrant and dynamic phase.

Speaking at the "Incredible India" evening in Beijing yesterday, she said China was India's biggest trade partner and this partnership was growing stronger day by day.

"Both India and China are in the midst of rapid transformation.

The development agenda has taken centrestage. The systems are different but people in both countries are united in their aspirations for a better future," she said.

In this context, Ms Soni pointed out that more than half a million visitors were exchanged between the two countries.

She, however, pointed out that this was relatively insignificant in view of the combined 40 per cent population of the world.

Ms Soni said new beginning would see the increased participation of entrepreneurs of both the countries from the travel trade industry in travel marts and road shows.

Referring to India's growth in tourism and the role it was playing in the economic growth, she said India was aiming to put in place high standard tourism infrastructure across the country." Hereto we feel there is ample scope for participation of Chinese entrepreneurship." UNI SH RL GC1906