CHINA KEEN TO LEARN FROM M'SIA IN DEVELOPING TOURIST ISLANDS

SEPANG (Malaysia), Aug 3 (Bernama) -- China is keen to learn from Malaysia's
experience in developing its islands into major international tourist
destinations while at the same time, preserve the islands' eco-systems.

China's Tourism Minister Shao Qiwei said Malaysia's experience in this area
was important as China also wished to develop its Hainan Island into a popular
tourist destination.

Shao arrived here Tuesday, leading a China National Tourism Administration
(CNTA) delegation for a five-day visit to Malaysia until Aug 7.

Shoa, who is also CNTA chairman, was welcomed on arrival at the KL
International Airport by his Malaysian counterpart, Dr Ng Yen Yen.

CNTA is the Chinese government authority responsible for the development of
tourism in the vast and world's most populous country.

According to Dr Ng, besides Kuala Lumpur, the Chinese delegation would also
visit Pangkor Laut and Langkawi Island.

"They want to study our eco-tourism programmes; how we preserve our natural
environment while developing our islands and beaches to attract tourists from
all over the world," she said.

Shao said China would also like to further promote cooperation in tourism
with Malaysia.

"This is because, against the backdrop of the financial crisis, bilateral
relations between the countries is still growing," he said through a translator.

Shao said last year, more than one million people from China visited
Malaysia while for the first half of this year, the number continued to grow.

"Malaysia has adopted a series of effective measures in developing its
tourism industry. Malaysia has a lot of spirit in this aspect and we hope to
learn from it," he said.

The highlights of the delegation's visit to Malaysia included an audience
with Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin later in the afternoon
Tuesday.
-- BERNAMA