• Full text of Premier Li Keqiang’s remarks at First World Conference on Tourism for Development

On May 19, Premier Li Keqiang addressed the opening ceremony of the First World Conference on Tourism for Development in Beijing.

Premier Li said that the Chinese government pays significant attention to the role of tourism and has made a series of laws, regulations and policy measures to promote the reform and development of the tourism industry, aiming at building it into a strategic pillar industry and a modern service industry better serving the public.

According to the Premier, the tourism industry is not only a driving force to cultivate a new growth engine and to promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation, but also an important means to alleviate poverty and construct a beautiful China. In addition, the tourism industry serves as a bridge for friendly exchanges with the outside world.

The tourism industry is part of the efforts to advance structural reform, especially supply-side structural reform, the Premier said, adding that the government will promote tourism consumption and investment and further open the tourism market.

“Further efforts will be made to strengthen tourism infrastructure facilities and related supervision will be enhanced so that tourists from home and abroad can enjoy better tours in China,” the Premier said.

Meanwhile tourism will be encouraged to integrate with the Internet Plus initiative to achieve industry upgrades, Premier Li said.

The Chinese government will help 12 million people get out of poverty by developing tourism within five years, the Premier said. He added that ecological protection will be the primary concern during the process.

The development of tourism relies on a peaceful environment in international society, and in turn serves as an important driving force to world harmony. He called for a cooperative plan in tourism between countries to make contributions to the world economy.

Premier Li expressed the hope that visa policies can be further loosened, and immigration procedures be simplified to better protect the rights of customers. He also said he hopes that 50 global tourism cooperation projects can be carried out within the next five years, so that tourism can be used as a bridge to promote friendly communication among people of all countries.

Premier Li also attended the launching ceremony of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 with other leaders.