Chinese citizens made a total of 34.52 million trips abroad in 2006.

The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that the number of Chinese outbound travelers would hit more than 100 million by 2020.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Chinese diplomatic and consular missions abroad handled more than 30,000 consular cases in 2006. The Foreign Ministry has 240 missions in foreign countries, employing a staff of more than 4,800.

To date, 132 of the world's more than 190 countries have become authorized destinations for outbound Chinese tourists. Some 675,000 Chinese workers are currently working in foreign countries. More than 40,000 are engaged in ocean fishing, while the number of sailors sent abroad has exceeded 150,000.

Chinese-invested enterprises abroad have totaled more than 10,000 to date.   Comments and suggestions from our readers are appreciated. E-mail: shuangqin2004@china.com.cn

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