More flights, trains to Qinghai in the works

Cheng Wong and Jamie Liu

More direct flights and high-speed rail trains are among measures being explored to enhance tourism cooperation between Qinghai and Hong Kong, according to provincial governor Luo Dongchuan.

Luo said at the Two Sessions in Beijing that the province is stepping up efforts to enhance connections and encourage more Hongkongers to visit.

Last May, Hong Kong's individual visit scheme expanded to cover two more mainland cities - Xining in Qinghai and Hohhot in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region - with the direct flight route between Xining and Hong Kong subsequently reopened.

Some 16,700 residents from Hohhot traveled to Hong Kong by the end of last year, while Hohhot welcomed more than 6,400 Hongkongers.

Zheng Rui, party secretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said a flight route from Hohhot to Hong Kong via Kunming in Yunnan province opened last year, saving travelers about four hours.

He revealed plans to gradually introduce direct flights between Ordos, Hohhot and Hong Kong, along with a high-speed rail train from West Kowloon to Hohhot via Zhengzhou - capital of Henan province.

In a meeting with Hong Kong's delegation to Beijing, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said Hong Kong has to be more resolute in safeguarding national security, and focus on boosting the economy and planning for development, while the commercial sector should cooperate and take part in initiatives to boost international connections and open new markets.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, highlighted Beijing's efforts in promoting the success of the "one country, two systems" while educating the two SARs about the mainland's constitution.

Wang Linggui, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said capable and responsible people are needed to serve the community as the city is expected to elect a new Legislative Council this year.