India, China launch Visit India Year in China

Feb 2 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang today jointly launched the Visit India Year in China at a function in Beijing. The initiative is aimed at enhancing the flow of tourists from China to India and strengthen the people to people bond. Mrs Swaraj said that diversity of India in terms of weather, food, languages, culture and religious practices are major attraction for tourists round the year. She promised warm hospitality for tourists. The Chinese vice-premier said that China will support the promotion of Indian tourist resources in his country. He also offered Chinese investment in tourism sector in India. AIR correspondent reports that the idea of Visit India Year was endorsed by the two countries during the visit of the Chinese President, Xi, Jinping to Delhi in September last year. In a joint statement, it was agreed to designate 2015 as Visit India Year in China and 2016 as Visit China Year in India. Under this, the two sides will carry out a series of promotional activities to boost two-way tourism inflow and strengthen people to people bonds.