OSAKA -- A special presentation event titled "Henan Province Tourism and Aviation Information Session" to promote tourism in the central Chinese province of Henan was held Wednesday in Osaka, attracting more than 100 participants.

The event, held in a major hotel in the city center, was organized by Henan Provincial Tourism Administration. The Osaka event aimed at introducing a number of the province's rich cultural and historical heritages as the China's ideal tourist destination from Japanese cities with a few of flying hours.

Participants, including many from travel agencies and tour operators based in Osaka and its surrounding Kansai area, were introduced the latest information about the world-class tourist spots in the province as well as about air and land transportation systems to/from the province.

Zhang Dawei, Vice Governor of Henan province, said in his speech that the number of Japanese tourists visiting the province last year recorded about 110,000, the second largest group of foreign tourists, stressing that the figure would further increase from this July when a Chinese airline company will launch direct flight service between Osaka and Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan province.

"Opening the direct air route in the year of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan will play a key role in promoting exchanges between the two peoples," Zhang said.

Chinese Deputy Consulate General in Osaka Yu Shuyuan said she hopes more and more Japanese tourists would visit Henan Province which has four major ancient capitals.

In the event, a team of young monks wearing the traditional costume from Shaolin Temple, showed spectacular performances of the well-known martial arts on the stage, further impressing all the guests with the province's traditional culture.