Residents of Guilin, a renowned scenic area in south China, are proud of their breathtaking landscapes -- but fear for the future as the tourism industry takes hold.
China's major tourist destination in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region attracted a record one million overseas tourists and 10 million domestic visitors in 2001.
But local people are hoping that the Boao Forum for Asia Tourism Comference, from November 18 to 20, will provide some initiatives for a sustainable tourism industry and preserving the environment.
"I still remember the drifting bamboo boats in the Li River, where I used to swim and enjoy happy times with my pals when I was a teenager," said Liu Guanghua, a 42-year-old man.
"Nowadays few bamboo boats can be seen in the river and there is not as much water as before," said Liu, standing by the river, now full of shuttling tourist boats. "It is likely that our children will not experience the joys we had."
Many others share Liu's worries.
Government officials, tourism experts and journalists from Asia will gather here to discuss tourism cooperation and development among Asian countries. The sustainable growth of the tourist industry, among other topics, is drawing the attention of locals, including Liu.
"I hope the upcoming Boao Forum for Asia Tourism Conference will answer my questions.
"Everyone is talking about the event," said Liu, who lives by the Li River and takes a daily stroll there at dusk.
Tourism, however, has also brought prosperity to Guilin. Since the city opened to foreigners in 1973, more and more
Guilin people earn their livings from tourism. The city earned 209 million US dollars from the tourist sector last year alone.
"Money is never enough. It is time to work out a solution for our offsprings," said Liu.
It is a consensus among the people and the local authorities. To protect the environment, the local government has closed about 40 factories to protect the Li River. The city is also planning to build an electricity plant using garbage for power generation in Xing'an county on the upper reaches of the river.
Liu Zhongying, an engineer with a printing factory, said she supported moves for a cleaner environment even though it mean losing her job. "The factory is closed, but I am almost sure I can get a new job in the tourism sector," she said.
