Ten Chinese photographers are in Zimbabwe to take photographs of the country's scenic beauty to showcase in China and help promote a better understanding of Zimbabwe and the region as tourist destination.

The group, which arrived on Wednesday, will be in Zimbabwe until Feb. 1 and are expected to visit a number of tourist resorts including the Victoria Falls, Kariba, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands.

On Thursday the photographers held a photographic exhibition at the Rainbow Towers where they showcased pictures of China to Zimbabweans.

Officially opening the exhibition, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Cde Andrew Langa, said the visit would further cement the cordial relations between Zimbabwe and China.

He said the Look East Policy adopted by Government had seen an increase, not only in tourist arrivals from China but trade and other relations as well.

"It is through such exchanges as this photo exhibition that the relationship continues to be cemented. Our two countries have a lot to offer to each other and we are happy that such cultural exchanges and tourism between China and Zimbabwe are increasing," he said.

He said following the attainment of the approved destination status by Zimbabwe in 2004, tourist traffic to Zimbabwe from China was growing. Zimbabwe now receives more 10,000 tourists from China per year.

"It is heartening to note that out of such efforts we can get tangible results as we witness here today. The photographers with us here had the whole of the African continent to choose from, but they settled for southern Africa with Zimbabwe being their major destination and more so the home of their exhibition," Langa said.

Head of the Chinese delegation Jia Jianbing said the African continent had always been desirable and exciting for Chinese photographers, especially Zimbabwe, which is Africa's paradise.

"We are not only holding the exhibition here to showcase our country, China, to Zimbabwean people, but also planning to take pictures of fascinating cities, villages, cultural monuments as well as scenic spots of Zimbabwe and to reveal the fascinating scenery and the hospitality of Zimbabwean people," Jia said.

Apart from the photo exhibition, the Chinese photographers will also expose themselves to the charming cities, villages, national parks as well as cultural monuments of Zambia and Botswana for picture shooting.

This event which is the first on the continent is expected to play a significant role in consolidating and expanding Sino-Africa friendship and amicable cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2008)