China's minister of culture and tourism said on Tuesday China hopes the United States will further increase direct flights with China and facilitate visa applications for Chinese nationals, according to a ministry statement.

Minister Hu Heping made the comments when meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the report said.

Hu added China hopes U.S. will stop carrying out inspections of Chinese nationals and groups travelling to the U.S. without clear reasons, in a bid to create better conditions for reciprocal visits by tourists.

 

(Reporting by Ella Cao and Liz Lee; Editing by Andrew Heavens)