The United Kingdom still welcomes Chinese tourists to visit the country despite Thursday's terrorist blasts in London, Christopher Hum, British ambassador to China, said Friday.
  
According to bilateral tourism Memorandum of Understanding, he said the visa application of group Chinese tourists will be operated from July 18. Preparation for the visa is in the pipeline.
  
He said after the bombing attack, the British government did not send a warning for international travelers. Although downtown London is in disorder to some extent, the airport is in operation and flights remain normal. The British government will spare no efforts to guarantee the safety of all tourists.
  
Hum said, like Beijing, London is very proud of hosting the Olympics in the 21th century. The UK and China will carry out further cooperation in the Olympics and tourists to each other's countries will increase within next few years.
  
Four blasts took place on Thursday in London underground stations and a double-decker bus. So far at least 50 people have been killed and 700 injured.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2005)