The Chinese capital plans to promote tourism overseas with a slogan that sums up its image: " Oriental Ancient Capital, Hometown of the Great Wall".

The promotional theme was announced at a national tourism workshop which opened on March 11 in Beijing. Sources with the meeting reported that Beijing will devote a great deal of effort to encourage tourism in Asian countries this year, especially in Japan, the Republic of Korea and Southeast Asian countries.

It will also launch promotion in France, Germany, Italy and the United States and open up tourist markets in South America, South Africa and the Middle East.

Beijing hosted some 2.52 million tourists last year, from which it earned 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in foreign exchange. Domestic travel to Beijing continued its momentum with 92.6 million people visiting and tourist earnings soaring to 45 billion yuan.