The US Embassy in Beijing and Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Chengdu all contributed to this accomplishment, which represents a 34 percent increase over last year, said a press release issued here Thursday. Ambassador Locke stressed the significance of this achievement, "The US-China relationship is profoundly important, and welcoming Chinese visitors to the United States strengthens our cultural and commercial ties. I am very pleased at the success we have had in significantly reducing wait times for visa appointments this year." According to the Department of Commerce, more than 801,000 Chinese visited the United States in 2010. These visitors added more than $5 billion to the US economy. The US Mission to China will continue to invite Chinese tourists, students, and business people to visit the United States, a premier destination for travelers from around the world. The Mission will continue to reduce visa interview wait times to the greatest extent possible by adding staff and eliminating inefficiencies wherever possible. Looking toward the future, the United States encourages the Chinese government to extend visa reciprocity to allow both US and Chinese travellers longer validity visas, which is in the interests of both nations.