Leisure tour groups could have a June date with US

Leisure tour groups from China can travel to the US as early as in June, China National Tourism Bureau deputy director Zhang Xiqin has said.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed in December, makes the US a Chinese government-approved destination for tourists.

The two countries are in the middle of discussions on technical details now, and it is likely that they will simplify the visa issuing procedure, Beijing Times quoted Zhang as having said yesterday.