China and Lebanon signed an accord in Beirut on Friday to promote their cooperation in tourism.

The accord was signed by Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Liu Xianghua and Lebanese Tourism Minister Joseph Sarkis.

According to the document, the two countries will promote communication between their tourist companies and organizations and encourage investment in each other's tourism sector.

The document requires the two countries train specialized personnel for the tourism industry, boost exchange of professional skills in the sector and encourage tourism research institutes to conduct more contacts and joint activities.

The two countries are urged to provide assistance to each other in establishing official tourism offices in their territories.

The two sides also agreed to set up a joint committee to coordinate the cooperation efforts.

Lebanon is rich in tourism resources and the tourism sector has served as the country's pillar industry.

Lebanese official statistics show that the country received about 1.3 million foreign travelers in 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2005)