Diplomats from around the world toured Hunan province last week during an event hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

They visited Changsha, the provincial capital, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture and Zhangjiajie, a well-known tourist destination, during the four-day trip from Friday to Monday.

The tourism industry in the province is recovering from the pandemic, said Mao Weiming, governor of Hunan. In the first half of 2022, the province has welcomed 171 million tourists from home and abroad, with total tourism income of 257 billion yuan ($38 billion). The province will stick to opening-up and provide high-quality services for people who come to develop their career, Mao said.

In Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous region, the diplomats visited the Aizhai bridge, which was opened 10 years ago to boost local tourism.

"The bridge shows the technological power of China and its people. It also shows the wisdom, bravery and happiness of people here," said Ri Ryong-nam, ambassador to China from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.