China and Mongolia on Monday signed an agreement on tourism cooperation to strengthen friendly relations and to further develop cooperation in tourism.

The agreement was signed in Beijing by He Guangwei, director of China National Tourism Administration and Byambagiin Jigjid, minister of infrastructure of Mongolia.

Under the agreement, the two sides will strive to promote the development of tourism between the two countries, in particular organized tourism; actively encourage the establishment of relations between tourism management bodies, tourism associations and other tourism organizations, and support cooperation between travel companies to develop the markets of third countries.

The two sides shall encourage cooperation between their official tourism organizations and other tourism-related enterprises.

They will encourage tourist visits between the countries, tourism-related services, and tourism-related investment, and endeavor to promote the development of tourism infrastructure and facilities.

The two sides will encourage participation of their respective enterprises in tourism exhibitions, meetings and conferences in each other's countries and explore the possibility of joint tourism products and studies.

This agreement came into force Monday, and will last for three years.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2003)