Chinese tourist visits abroad numbered about 29 million in 2004, an increase of 43 percent from the previous year.

Director of the National Tourism Administration Shao Qiwei released the figures at a recent national meeting on overseas tourism for 2005.

Shao Qiwei predicted that Chinese citizens traveling overseas will surge in the future, due to the country's rapid economic development and higher living standards.

China has 69 registered international tourist destinations, and overseas sight-seeing has become an important part of the tourism industry.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 5, 2005)