More products from the Philippines are expected to enter the Chinese market this year as China recovers from the global financial crisis, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said over the weekend.

Liu also said total Chinese visitors to the Philippines increased by 37 percent to 220,000 in 2009, compared to only 160,000 tourists who visited the country in 2008.

“Last year, the number of Chinese who came to the Philippines went up to 220,000 people registered and an increase of about 37 percent over the period of 2008,” Liu disclosed.

“This is encouraging to find out that the number of tourists to this country may be really increasing that fast,” he said, adding that most of the Chinese tourists who come to the Philippines are from the mainland.

Liu earlier said that more foreign tourists will visit the country if rates for accommodation and transportation will be reduced.

He said that unlike westerners, Japanese and Koreans who prefer going to the beaches and playing in golf courses here, Chinese visitors are more lured to go to historical places like Vigan in Ilocos Sur as well as other cultural attractions.

He also cited Boracay and Bohol as popular destinations for Chinese tourists.

Most Chinese tourists travel by family and the highest number is from the middle-age group. China is now the Philippines’ third largest trading and economic partner as well as the fourth largest source of tourist arrivals.

Liu also said he sees an improvement in the entry of Philippine products to China this year due to China’s recovery from the global financial crisis.

According to the Chinese envoy, China’s total import and export slumped 13.9 percent in 2009 at US$2.21 trillion. However, its foreign trade turned from negative to a positive in November and December, registering 9.8 percent and 32.7 percent, respectively.