Long was speaking to an audience attending a tourism promotional session on the city on the final day of the International Cooperation for Tourism Development Under a New Paradigm at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on Tuesday.

Long compared Zhangjiajie to the mysterious garden of peach blossoms as recorded in ancient Chinese literature. "People livingin the hustle and bustle will find it a refreshing resort destination to take a break there for a few days," he said.

He added that eco-tourism typical of Zhangjiajie epitomizes thedirection in which tourism will develop on the mainland in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, the mayor of the Zhangjiajie municipal government, Lu Pingyi, said that in the wake of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in various parts of the world, he has become all the more aware than ever of tourists' need for a safer travel destination.

He said the Zhangjiajie municipal government will take the administrative lead and give priority to developing the place intoa safe and healthy tourist destination and to giving tourists maximum protection.

Lu invited the international tourist industry to work with Zhangjiajie in internationalizing the already reputable sightseeing destination famed for its magnificent mountain and river scenery.

(People's Daily July 16, 2003)