Three northern European countries -- Denmark, Norway and Sweden, have opened travel service agencies recently in Beijing.

The move follows the opening of travel agencies last year by nine other European countries last year, including France, Germany, Italy and Austria.

Chinese tourists will be able to travel to 12 countries in Europe from May. Negotiations on Approved Destination Status between China and other countries of the European Union is still going on, but eventually, the whole of Europe is expected to be open to China.

(Beijing Today January 18, 2004)