(IRNA) - Iranian Ambassador to Beijing Javad Mansouri hoped on Tuesday that Iran and China will sign a tourism cooperation agreement in the near future. The Iranian diplomat made the remark in an interview with China's Sun TV.
Mansouri said that the draft of the relevant memorandum of understanding has been drawn up and hoped that by declaring its readiness to ink such an agreement China will prepare the ground for expansion of cooperation between the two sides in tourism sector.
Turning to the Chinese `Friendship and Good Will' delegation, which departed its four-month rotating tour of 21 world countries, including Iran, he said, "Undoubtedly, upon visiting Iran every tourist will revise his/her view on the negative propaganda of the West against the country."
Sun TV will give coverage to the tour of the Chinese delegation over the period, reports Trend.
The Iranian ambassador pointed to the negative propaganda of some Western media against Iran and noted, "One of the causes for such propaganda by the US and some Western states is that they cannot witness Iran's advancement.
"After the victory of the Islamic Revolution 27 years ago, many developments have taken place in the country, part of which has been closely witnessed by the foreign tourists visiting Iran."
Meanwhile, he urged the need for investment in the country's tourism industry, adding that the economic pressures exerted on the nation are one of the causes for lack of proper development of the industry, despite its significant historical stance.
Mansouri lauded Iran's progress in other domains, in particular science and studies.
In response to a question about the issue of development and advancement in Islam, he said, "Once Islam was accepted in Iran, it did not ban the Iranians' traditions and good life style. It is rather against improper traditions."