South Africa hopes to attract more Chinese visitors by 2010, said Manqoba Nyembezi, tourism attache of the South African embassy.

He said last year the South Africa tourism administration started researching China's market. According to the result, at least 30 million Chinese visitors expressed an interest in traveling to South Africa. "We then have the goal of attracting 2.5 million Chinese visitors to South Africa every year, which means China will catch up with Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States," he added.

Chinese travel groups were allowed to visit South Africa from 2003. In 2004, some 12,000 Chinese visitors went to South Africa. In the first half of 2005, the number surpassed 20,000.

Nyembezi hoped two nations can enhance cooperation in trade, economics, tourism and culture. The national carrier South African Airways hoped to launch direct flights to Beijing.

Source: Xinhua