STORY: Former logging city in N China brightens up as eco-protection brings benefits
DATELINE: Sept. 4, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:10
LOCATION: ARXAN, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Arxan's scenic spots
2. various of tourists in Arxan
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): BAI FENG, Head of Arxan Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHAI ZHENZHEN, Shop owner in Arxan
5. various of Arxan's scenic spots
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BAI FENG, Head of Arxan Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau
7. various of tourists in Arxan

STORYLINE:

The 2023 China (Arxan) Tourism Conference concluded on Sunday in Arxan City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Arxan, located at the southwestern foot of the Dahinggan Mountains and at the intersection of four major grasslands, is an increasingly popular tourist destination.

In the past decade, Arxan has undergone significant transformations by tapping into local tourism resources.

Currently, two-thirds of the local population lives on tourism-related services.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): BAI FENG, Head of Arxan Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau
"Through the development of tourism, the urban construction of Arxan has been improved, local residents' income increased, and people's standard of living promoted. Arxan's tourism development has seen its influence on every field of local people's work and life."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHAI ZHENZHEN, Shop owner in Arxan
"I feel that Arxan's tourism is flourishing, and our turnover is going up. We are more confident in this year's tourism growth."

The key to Arxan's attraction to visitors from home and abroad lies in its commitment to environmental protection, with the efforts repaid after a logging ban was imposed in 2012.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BAI FENG, Head of Arxan Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau
"The tourism industry in Arxan can only develop with the preservation of the ecological environment, and the development of tourism further promotes the protection of the ecological environment. In recent years, the lucid waters and lush mountains have become a hallmark of Arxan. It has been awarded as an innovation base practicing the concept of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,' and a demonstration zone for eco-tourism. These achievements illustrate the success of Arxan's tourism industry, especially in eco-tourism, and it has been a mutually beneficial process."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Arxan, China.
(XHTV)