Officials and the public in Inner Mongolia, north China, have been celebrating the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to lift the SARS travel advisory on the autonomous region and three other Chinese regions.

As severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was under control in Hebei and Shanxi Provinces, Inner Mongolia, and Tianjin Municipality, the WHO announced Friday it would remove its recommendation against non-essential travel to the areas.

The manager of the Jinxing Restaurant in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia, set off fireworks Saturday, symbolizing the casting out of devils in Chinese tradition. Jinxing and 1,000 other restaurants in the city were closed for two months as a result of SARS.

Zhao Jun, general manager of the Merchant Travel Agency, said, "The removal of Inner Mongolia from the WHO advisory list has given new hope to travel services in the region."

Zhao said his company was preparing to open up routes featuring health and ecological protection on the grasslands this year in a bid to show visitors the importance of life and the close relationship between man and nature.

Tourism is emerging as a pillar industry in Inner Mongolia. The region played host to 11.96 million domestic and overseas visitors last year, earning a tourist income of eight billion yuan.

With SARS under control, there is great public awareness of the need for personal hygiene though fewer people can be seen wearing face masks. Spitting is seldom seen in the streets.

However, Yang Chengwang, director of the regional health department, warned the SARS virus was still unknown and people should remain vigilant.

The Chinese Ministry of Health and the WHO are expected to inspect the SARS control efforts in Inner Mongolia in the near future. Yang said the region welcomed the inspection and would offer full cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2003)