China is expected to receive 130 million foreign tourists by the year 2020, making the country the world's No. 1 tourism destination by then, according to a report from the World Tourism Organization.

Tourism has become one of China's booming industries. Statistics show that in 1998, the output value of the industry rose 10.2 percent, much higher than the increase rate of the world 's tourism industry.

In 1998, more than 63 million tourists from overseas visited China, a figure ranking sixth in the world and 35 times that of 1978. And the country's foreign exchange earnings stood at 12.6 billion US dollars, ranking seventh in the world, 48 times that of 1978.

China's tourism infrastructure facilities have been improved rapidly thanks to the country's efforts to develop the industry.

China's number of hotels that are authorized to receive foreign tourists has increased from less than 200 in 1978 to more than 5, 700 in 1998. The number of travel agencies has expanded from some 100 to more than 6,000.

Sun Gang, deputy director of the National Tourism Administration, attributed the speedy growth of the tourism industry to the country's diverse culture and rich tourism resources.

So far, China has established more than 700 natural reserves, and 18 scenic resorts have been put on the World Heritage list.