QINGDAO -- China has announced 10 cities newly selected to pilot a central government funding initiative, as the country continues to encourage its cities to create a sound consumption environment that provides convenience for international visitors.

A notice from the ministries of finance and commerce on Nov 20 showed that 10 cities -- Nanjing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Changsha, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an -- will receive financial subsidies from the central government.

These newly announced cities will join five other Chinese metropolises and popular tourist destinations -- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing, which were approved in July 2021 to take the lead in the initiative.

Funding support will range from 100 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars) to 200 million yuan per city over a two-year period.
The initiative is part of China's wider effort to boost inbound tourism spending.