BEIJING, Sept. 24  -- Chinese tourism chief on Wednesday vowed all-out efforts to bring the "China-U.S. Year of Tourism in 2016" a success.

"China will work with the U.S. tourism industry, in accordance with requirements of the leaders of the two countries," said Li Jinzao, head of the National Tourism Administration.

President Xi Jinping announced on Tuesday in his speech in Seattle during his state visit to the U.S. that the two countries will launch a year of tourism next year.

Tourism between the two countries is pressing ahead with good momentum, Li said. The number of tourists between the two countries in the past eight years totaled 250 million, with an annual growth of 7.6 percent. Tourists between the countries hit over 4 million in a single year.

Chinese tourists visiting the U.S. grew at an annual rate of 18.4 percent on average, Li said.

A year of tourism will boost friendship, business cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries, Li said, adding that he hopes to see tourists between the two countries top 5 million annually soon.