Germany will open a consulate in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, in early December, according to the Foreign Affairs Office of the Sichuan provincial government.

Consul-General Thomas Gerberich said the consulate is expected to issue visas in the first quarter of 2005. Chinese tourists with travel visas to Germany can travel to the other 14 European countries based on the Schengen Accord, the European Union's passport-free agreement.

At the beginning of this year, the governments of China and Germany signed an agreement to establish the Chengdu consulate. Former German Ambassador to China Broudre-Groeger led a group to Chengdu for its construction.

Cui Zhiwei, deputy director of the foreign affairs office, said the establishment of German consulate in Chengdu will promote China-Germany relations and boost cooperation between Sichuan Province and Germany in economy, culture and tourism.

The consulate will also encourage more countries to set up consulates in Chengdu, Cui said.