China is going to launch a nationwide campaign to improve domestic tourists' behaviors, in an effort to build up a sound image of citizens to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

Chinese tourism has seen a rapid growth in recent years, but domestic tourists' quality lags behind, which has affected China's international image, said a circular issued by the Central Commission for Guiding Ethic and Cultural Progress.

Some tourists had poor sense of courtesy, orders and laws and paid little attention to sanitation and environmental protection, arousing concerns and criticisms at home and abroad, it says.

In order to improve the ethic qualities of domestic tourists and the international image of the Chinese people, the commission has joint hands with government departments to launch the awareness-raising campaign.

It is scheduled to start in mid-August this year and end in August of 2008, when the Olympic Games kicks off in Beijing.

Government departments involved in the campaign include the National Tourism Administration, the Foreign Ministry and the ministries of public security, commerce, construction, railways, civil aviation and transportation.

Public opinions will be collected to form a travel guideline for domestic tourists and kinds of activities will be arranged to raise public awareness, according to the circular.

"Long-term efforts needs to be made to correct all sorts of improper behaviors of domestic tourists," it said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2006)