``A comprehensive law is urgently needed to change the legal relationship in the industry that is more complicated than before,'' said Zhang Shumin, a National Tourism Administration official in charge of policy and laws.

The official also noted that as the definition of the tourism industry has not been clarified by law, China could not fully meet the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in this regard.

``Restaurants and apartment hotels in China are not within the range of tourism although they are in the classification of the WTO,'' Zhang said.

Tourism legislation is needed to ensure the development of the industry and build on all legislation and experiences at a local level, he added.

A total of 23 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have drafted local regulations on tourism management.

However, there is still no nation-wide law.

``Large number of tourism service disputes have taken place in recent years, especially during the so-called golden weeks (around May 1 and October 1). These have developed from the lack of a relevant legal basis to ensure they are quickly resolved,'' Zhang complained.

``The status of the tourism industry should be confirmed by law. Otherwise, many people still do not regard tourism as an independent industry.''

According to Zhang, China has since 1996 published a series of regulations to establish operation modes and administrative methods in the tourism industry.

The regulations have strengthened the management of travel agencies, tourist guides, outbound tourism and Sino-foreign joint ventures.

During a conference of the National People's Congress in March, nearly 10 percent of the deputies expressed their concern of macro-registration on tourism and 194 deputies put forward proposals requiring the congress to enact laws as soon as possible.

(China Daily September 27, 2001)