1st Chinese tour group arrive in Washington

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-18-2008 08:54

As the Sino-US SED continues, the first group of Chinese tourists arrived in Washington's Dulles International airport Tuesday night local time.

Chinese travelers pose for a photo before departure for the United States at Shanghai Pudong international airport in Shanghai, east China, June 17, 2008. About 200 Chinese travelers set out from airports in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first Chinese vacationers to take part in tour groups to the United States. (Xinhua Photo)

There were more than 200 travelers from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong. They're on a 12-day tour, which will take them to Washington, New York and Los Angeles. Their arrival in Washington DC coincides with the fourth round of China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue in the States, which is significant for the opening of US-bound Chinese tours.

Local governments have arranged a series of welcome ceremonies for the Chinese tourists. The New York Tourism Bureau will host a cocktail party on their arrival. And the Los Angeles Tourism Bureau is welcoming the Chinese tourists with "China week".

The US is China's fifth largest tourist destination. Last year, over 710,000 Chinese people visited the US, that's up 12 percent compared with the previous year.