China's State Council, the Cabinet, announced Wednesday plans to push forward the development of tourism industry and make it a strategic pillar industry in the national economy.

The government called for improved service and management in the tourism sector, which consumes less resources and generates more job opportunities, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

More efforts should be made to improve tourism infrastructure and enhance trainings of personnel in the industry, according to the statement.

The government would lower the market threshold to encourage social capital and enterprises of various ownership to invest in the sector on a fair basis, it said.

It called for collaborative development between tourism sector and the relative industries, including culture, sports, agriculture, industry, forestry, environmental protection and meteorological sector.

The statement also demand more efforts to protect eco-system, indigenous environment and historical and cultural heritage.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2009)