Chinese citizens are to be allowed to apply for US-destined travel in groups starting from June 17, announced China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the US Department of Commerce in Beijing on Thursday.

Within six months from then, the travel agencies in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Hubei, Hunan, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provincial areas would be able to organize local residents for group travel to the United States.

"We are happy to see the expansion of exchange between China and the United States," said Shao Qiwei, head of the CNTA.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2008)