China has chosen Folk Arts-China as the tourist theme for 2002, according to sources from the State Tourism Administration.

Zhang Xiqin, vice-director of the administration, said that Chinese folk arts have an important tourist content, which have sprung up out of the country's abundant cultural resources, are popular with the people, and have attracted many foreign tourists.

This tourism theme will continue to promote China's diversified cultures and customs with 100 large folk festivals to be held next year and a number of new travel routes to be opened.

( November 20, 2001)