温家宝总理在世界旅游组织第15届全体大会上的致词

  Mr. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization,

  Ms. Louise Frechette, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations,

  All Delegates, Ladies ａｎｄ　Gentlemen,

  At this October time when Beijing is offering us its charming autumn scenery in the freshest air ａｎｄ　clearest weather, the 15th General Assembly Session of the World Tourism Organization is officially opened here. On behalf of the Chinese government, I would like to extend our sincere welcome to all the guests here ａｎｄ　to express our warm congratulations on the convening of this session.

  Tourism is a nice ａｎｄ　pleasant activity that combines sightseeing, recreation ａｎｄ　health care. Tourism has been developing with the times. Since the mid of the 20th century, modern tourism has been booming at a fast pace across the world. The number of tourists has been increasing, the scale of tourism industry has kept expanding, ａｎｄ　the position of tourism in the economy has been rising. Increasingly, tourism serves as a channel fｏｒcultural exchanges, friendship development ａｎｄ　varied communication. It exerts more ａｎｄ　more extensive influence on human life ａｎｄ　social progress.

  As a country with an ancient civilization ａｎｄ　a long history, China is also a big oriental country full of modern vitality, blessed with a rich supply of unique ａｎｄ　varied tourism attractions ａｎｄ　resources. Besides the picturesque natural scenery, profound history ａｎｄ　extensive culture, China embodies the different folk customs of 56 nationalities/ethnic groups. Currently, 29 properties have been inscribed onto World Cultural ａｎｄ　Natural Heritage List. With the reform ａｎｄ　opening-up programs, China’s modern construction is surging ahead, ａｎｄ　urban ａｎｄ　rural areas are all experiencing daily changes. The ancient glory ａｎｄ　modern boom combine most impressively to create favorable conditions fｏｒdomestic ａｎｄ　international tourism in China.

  The fist 20 years of the 21st century is a strategic period fｏｒChina to accomplish the all-round construction of a well-off society ａｎｄ　to speed up its socialist modernization. It also provides a favorable time fｏｒits further development of tourism industry. We shall promote tourism as an important industry in China’s national economy, properly protect ａｎｄ　utilize our tourism resources ａｎｄ　try to achieve sustainable development. The Chinese government welcomes all international friends to visit China. We shall do our best to protect their health ａｎｄ　safety. Meanwhile, we will encourage more Chinese people to go abroad fｏｒvisits. We are ready to develop extensive cooperation with other countries ａｎｄ　contribute to global tourism growth.

  Fｏｒmany years, the World Tourism Organization has made active ａｎｄ　effective efforts to gain tourism prosperity ａｎｄ　development around the world. It has become a specialized agency of the UN. Here we would like to offer our sincere congratulations. We believe this WTO General Assembly session will give a majｏｒpush to tourism in the world fｏｒgreater prosperity ａｎｄ　new development.

  Finally, I wish the 15th General Assembly Session of the World’s Tourism Organization every success.

  Thank you!