On the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Ambassador Fu Cong, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, and Luís Araújo, President of the Board of Directors of the European Travel Commission (ETC), recorded videos to express their good wishes to the European and Chinese tourism industry and expectations and hopes for continued cooperation between China and Europe in tourism.

(Ambassador Fu Cong's message)

Ambassador Fu Cong stated that 2022 is an extraordinary year. The concluded 20th National Congress of the CPC in the year has mapped out a grand blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects. China will continue to bring new impetus and opportunities for the world with its own development. At the beginning of 2023, China optimized the COVID-19 strategy and restarted cross-border tourism that will fully unleash the demand accumulated in the past nearly three years. He believed that China’s economy and tourism industry, which are full of resilience and potentials, will bring new opportunities and benefits to the global tourism industry, including European countries. At the starting point of the new year, he looked forward to working with friends from the European Travel Commission and the tourism industry to seize opportunities, deepen cooperation, and jointly explore new ways of tourism transition.

(President Luís Araújo's message)

President Luís Araújo said in his message that, three COVID years significantly affect the tourism in many countries. As the situation is getting back on track, Europe is improving its connectivity and interaction with the rest of the world in tourism. Europe is also ready to welcome and eager for tourists from China to visit the heritage, enjoy gastronomy and feel the warmth of the people once again in Europe. On the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, he also wished a fruitful and prosperous year of Europe-China exchange and cooperation in tourism.