China will fully leverage its advantages to advance from a major tourism country to a tourism powerhouse - a significant leap forward in the development of the nation's tourism sector during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) period, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Man Hongwei, director of the ministry's resource development department, highlighted three key strengths underpinning this transition: resource advantage, infrastructure advantage, and market advantage.
"China has diverse natural ecosystems and a profound historical and cultural heritage. Our tourism resources are abundant in type, complete in categories, and distinctive in character to offer not only natural beauty, but also rich cultural appeal," he said.
"China has built the world's largest high-speed rail network and expressway network, and our communication network covers both urban and rural areas. The continued improvement of tourism infrastructure is making poetic views and distant places people dream of within closer reach," the official said.
"China has the world's largest domestic tourism market, and we are also one of the major destinations for international tourism. The country has developed a tourism supply system that is large in scale, diverse in types, and dynamic in innovation," Man said.
China aims to leap from major tourism country to tourism powerhouse: official
