China and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands signed a tourism memorandum of understanding in Beijing on Thursday, marking the islands as a new destination for group Chinese travelers.

The islands are the first tourism destination for group Chinese tourists in northern Pacific Ocean region, and the 41st new destination announced this year. Group Chinese travelers can now visit 63 nations and regions in the world.

China's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, with people's living standards rising remarkably. According to the World Tourism Organization, China has become the world's fastest growing tourism source nation and one of the top 10 tourism consumption markets. In the past 10 years, nearly 100 million Chinese tourists have traveled abroad, with the annual growth rate reaching 13.87 percent, said He Guangwei, chairman of China National Tourism Administration.

Tourism is a pillar industry in the Mariana Islands, contributing more than half of the GDP. After launching flights from Guangzhou and Shanghai to Saipan Island, the capital of the commonwealth, Chinese visitors have increased. The flight from Beijing to Saipan is expected to open next year, said Mariana Governor Juan N. Babauta.

(Xinhua New Agency December 31, 2004)