Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Thursday advocated polite tourist behavior and stressed that a good image of Chinese tourists should be projected.

Wang made the remarks during a teleconference held by the State Council, China's cabinet, on implementing the new Tourism Law.

Wang also urged relevant authorities to develop the tourist industry into a strategic pillar industry of the national economy and a modern service industry.

He also stressed developing industry associations and self-discipline, as well as heightening market supervision while reducing government interference.

The new Tourism Law, adopted by China's top legislature on April 25, will take effect on Oct. 1.

Under the new law, measures are outlined to address key problems such as unfair competition, wanton price hikes and forced goods purchases that have plagued the industry and aroused strong public discontent.

The new law also lays down provisions to ensure tourists' rights to know, choose, receive assistance and be respected.

The country's tourism sector has undergone dramatic changes over the past decades. The domestic travel market is currently the world's largest, and the country ranks third globally in terms of tourists received from overseas.