NANNING — China is willing to expand cooperation in tourism with ASEAN, as this year marks the China-ASEAN Year of Tourism, Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli said on Sept 12.

Zhang made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 14th China-ASEAN Expo, themed “Co-Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Promoting Regional Economic Integration through Tourism.”

As China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) both have abundant tourism resources with their own characteristics, increasing trips made between the two sides have played an important role in enhancing exchanges and understanding between their peoples, according to Zhang.

China is ASEAN’s largest source of foreign tourists. In 2016, more than 38 million trips were made between the two sides and more than 2,700 flights flew every week.

Zhang said the pair would increase the number of students studying in each other’s countries.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. Next year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.