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Southeast asia is becoming one of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists, stimulating the economies of China's neighbors and enhancing mutual understanding between peoples. "It is quite comfortable to spend the New Year holiday in a warmer climate," said Zhang Weiliang, who has registered for a Thai tour during the New Year holiday. Zhang has been to Thailand three times, impressed by its tropical climate and spicy food. Due to the similar "rice culture" and the Buddhist religion, Southeast Asian countries have an advantage over other destinations for Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists to Vietnam and Malaysia reached 580,000 and 450,000 respectively last year and are expected to surpass 700,000 and 900,000 respectively this year. In the global tourism slowdown, the Chinese market is performing well, said Wang Shanshan, an official with the Malaysian culture and tourism section. Compared with other regions, the low cost of Southeast Asian holidays was very attractive for Chinese tourists, especially those who are going abroad for the first time, said Zhang Zhiguang of China Travel Service. Airlines play a key role in increasing Chinese tourists to Southeast Asian countries. Air China, China Eastern and China Southern have direct flights to those countries, while Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines all have representative offices in China. "We were always worried about the food when my wife and I traveled to Western countries. In Southeast Asian countries, we can easily find fried vegetables, dumplings and rice, " said Wang Zhenmin, a 60-year-old professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing. Chinese people face few language barriers in Singapore, said Chew Tiong Heng, an official with Singapore Tourism Board China.