A joint conference to promote cultural tourism in northwestern China co-organized by governments of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as well as Shaanxi Province and Gansu Province was held in Guyuan, Ningxia on August 12, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Secretariat of the meeting called on all stakeholders of the region to leverage on the complementariness of each other's tourism industry, develop major attractions and scenic spots collectively so as to build a "Boundless Tourism Circle" in the region.

"Provinces and autonomous regions in this shared circle should join hands in planning, marketing and brand promoting through measures like organizing events like tourism festivals and promotional conferences," said Li Wenzhang, Party Secretary of Guyuan CPC Committee.

"We should also establish an exchange mechanism through which all the stakeholders can meet and exchange opinions with each other on a regular basis," added Li when he emphasized the importance of synergy.

Synergetic development in China's northwestern region was first put forward in 2004. And, over the past 10 years, the number of member cities of the joint conference has increased to 31, covering an area of 604,400 square kilometers and a population of 22.83 million people. A total of 29 cooperation agreements and 400 projects were signed, for an estimated cost of over 100 billion yuan.