A national forum regarding the Belt and Road Initiative and tourism development for cities along the ancient Silk Road took place in Yangcheng county, Shanxi province, on April 26.

During the forum, 10 economically important cities across China, such as Jiangxi province's Jingdezhen which produces porcelain, tea-supplier Ya'an in Sichuan province, and Huzhou in Zhejiang province, which is rich in silk, introduced and promoted their traditional industries, tourism resources and culture, each seeking cooperation with each other.

A tourist city assocation is founded at the forum, Yangcheng county, April 26. [Photo/sxrb.com]

A tourist city association of vital goods suppliers along the Silk Road was established to form a platform for communication and mutual benefits. The member cities launched the "Yangcheng Initiative" to explore their potential in tourism, foster the integration of tourism and other industries based on the national Belt and Road Initiative.

Yangcheng county in the south of Shanxi province has a long history of breeding silkworms and producing reeled silk and is one of major silk suppliers along the ancient Silk Road. Its sericulture still ranks first at the county-level in North China with production accounting for over 50 percent of the regional total.

In recent years, the county has taken tourism as a new engine for economic growth by taking advantage of local tourism resources and integrating tourism with traditional industries like agritourism.

Officials from the Tourism Development Committee of Yangcheng county, Shanxi province, promote tourist attractions at the forum on April 26. [Photo/people.com.cn]