The United States yesterday said it had processed a record number of US visas on the mainland.
Gary Locke, US ambassador to China, said the US had processed more than 1 million US visas for mainland applicants during the fiscal year ended September 30, up 34 per cent from the previous fiscal year.
The announcement follows comments by top US officials that more mainlanders would be allowed to visit America in a bid to tap mainland consumers' rising buying power.
The visa applications were processed by the US embassy in Beijing, and four consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Chengdu .
Figures from the US Department of Commerce also showed that more than 801,000 mainlanders visited the US last year, adding more than US$5 billion to the US economy.
'The US-China relationship is profoundly important, and welcoming Chinese visitors to the United States strengthens our cultural and commercial ties,' Locke said in a press release.
The embassy said the US would continue inviting mainland tourists, students and businessmen to visit the country, while reducing visa interview wait times by adding staff members.
