JIAYUGUAN, June 16 (People's Daily Online) –The fifth Dunhuang Tour-Silk Road International Tourism Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Jiayuguan, northwestern China’s Gansu Province.

The event which has been held four times is a visiting card for Gansu tourism and even China’s tourism, said Li Jinzao, Chairman of China’s National Tourism Administration. He also added that China is focusing on promoting “One Belt, One Road” initiative, and is willing to strengthen cooperation and share opportunities with the countries along “One Belt, One Road”.

The event serves as part of Gansu’s government efforts to implement “One Belt, One Road” initiative, which helps the government to strengthen tourism cooperation with the countries along “One Belt, One Road”. 8 provinces, 3 autonomous regions, Chongqing and Xinjiang construction corps announced to establish the Silk Road Promotion Union during the opening ceremony.

With a theme of “Tour magnificent Gansu; develop Silk Road tourism,” the event that has been held since 2011 plays a vital role in boosting local tourism. During the fourth Dunhuang Tour-Silk Road International Tourism Festival, Gansu attracted 14.98 million tourists, up 23.7% compared to the same period of last year, and gained tourism revenue of 9 billion yuan.