Overseas tourists to get tax refunds on shopping

Program launched in key cities aims to attract more visitors, increase sales

Beijing and Shanghai will offer tax refunds on purchases made by overseas visitors starting on Wednesday, kicking off a program to bolster tourism and sales of some items popular with foreign visitors, such as souvenirs, silk, porcelain and traditional Chinese medicine products.

The rebate program could significantly stimulate the development of Beijing's tourism, which has seen slow growth in spending and a decrease in visitors, said Wang Yue, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development.