The 2nd eco-tourism forum of Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) is scheduled to take place in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Diqing in southwest China's Yunnan Province, from Sept. 9-10.

The theme of the forum will be eco-tourism, protection of cultural heritage of ethnic minorities and economic development in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

PECC is a tripartite partnership of senior individuals from business and industry, government, academic circle. Established in 1980, PECC now has 25 member committees from Asian-Pacific region. As a regional forum and policy coordination, it aims at promoting economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Diqing is home to Shangri-La, a county of tranquility with snow-clad mountain peaks, green valleys, clear-water lakes and roaming sheep herds. Tibetans make up 85 percent of local population.

Shangri-la is said to be a popular Tibetan word for "sun and moon in the heart", or an ideal, enchanting wonderland. It became world-renowned after British writer James Hilton published his book "Lost Horizon" in 1933.

The first PECC eco-tourism forum was held in Quito of Ecuador in 2002.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2004)