GZ's GDP Rise 13.6% First Half of the Year
Guangzhou's GDP increased by 13.6% in the first half of the year, reaching a total amount of 488.6 billion Yuan. The export trade volume and tax revenue also rose by over 50% and 30% respectively. Guangzhou Vice Mayor Wan Qingliang pointed out that in the second half of the year, the city could expect to receive over 30 billion Yuan in revenue.

Tickets for Asian Games Opening & Closing Ceremonies Start Sales July 26
Tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 16th Asian Games will go on sale next Monday (July 26th). Five thousand tickets will be on sale for these two ceremonies and each will cost from $235 to $1000. You can log on the Official Ticketing Website of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games at tickets.gz2010.cn or go to the 400 designated ticket sale branches at ICBC banks.

Southeast Asian Countries Become Most Popular Tourism Destinations
Guangdong's tourism market has seen good business with students now in the middle of their 2-month long summer vacation. According to some major travel agencies in Guangzhou, the most popular destinations are Southeast Asian countries, especially Thailand. With the end of the Red Shirt demonstrations in Thailand, the number of people signing up for tours has gone up by 50% compared to last summer. Many other tour packages to Southeast Asian country have also been booked for as late as mid-August.