Beijing's first 549 visitors from overseas following June 24, when the World Health Organization (WHO) removed Beijing from its list of SARS-affected areas and lifted its travel advisory on the city, were invited to a free banquet at the Great Hall of the People on the night of July 4.
The visitors from Hong Kong and seven countries enjoyed 10 courses, most which were traditional Chinese cuisine, accompanied by a Chinese traditional music and acrobatics performance.
In order to revive local tourism, the Beijing tourism bureau has decided to offer a free dinner at the Great Hall of the People to the first 1,500 visitors from overseas after June 24.
At the invitation of the bureau, representatives from the capital cities of seven Asian countries will arrive in Beijing on July 9.
The Great Hall of the People, located west of Tian'anmen Square, is usually reserved for state banquets, and receptions for overseas tourists are a rare occurrence.
(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2003)
