Roundup

STRONG RECOVERY

China's service sector witnessed a robust recovery in May, as economic activities normalize, an official said on Thursday. The index gauging the country's service industry output rose 11.7 percent year-on-year in May, said Fu Linghui, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Statistics. The contact-based service sector witnessed a fast recovery, with the subindex for accommodation and catering surging by 39.5 percent year-on-year, Fu said.

TRANSPORT SAFETY

As flood season approaches in China, the Ministry of Transport has made arrangements on work safety and disaster relief, it said on Thursday. The ministry will launch a special operation of investigating and rectifying hidden safety risks to prevent major accidents in areas including road passenger transport, road transport of dangerous goods and urban rail transit. Urban rail transit operators should investigate and rectify risks and hidden dangers in key areas such as station entrances and underpasses, as well as the operation of water-retaining facilities and drainage equipment.

AIR ROUTE REOPENS

A flight from the Pakistani city of Lahore landed in Urumqi, capital city of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in Northwest China, on Tuesday. It marks the reopening of the air route between the two cities. Operated by China Southern Airlines, the flight is the second air route connecting Urumqi with Pakistan alongside one to Islamabad. It is scheduled to operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. So far, China Southern Airlines has resumed 11 international air routes from Xinjiang to destinations such as Almaty, Dushanbe and Lahore.

CRUISE HAILS CHINESE

The multinational travel company Viking Cruises has resumed its European river cruise operations catering to the Chinese market. On June 1, more than 100 guests from China embarked on the Viking Eistla cruise ship, which was anchored in Amsterdam, commencing their 11-day "Rhine Charming Journey". The crew took a group photo with the Chinese guests holding a banner with the words"Welcome Chinese Guests 'Home'."

GROWTH MILESTONE

Marriott International announced on Thursday the highly anticipated opening of its 500th hotel in China: Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The milestone marks Marriott's longstanding commitment to strengthening its presence in the country since entering the market close to 40 years ago. The company plans to bolster its strong position in China with a total of 47 hotels expected to open in 2023, adding close to 13,000 guest rooms to the portfolio.

GLAMPING SEASON

Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund has launched three new glamping packages: Bund glamping seasonal afternoon tea, Banyan Tree movie snack, and Bund view Moet Chandon and oysters set. The seasonal afternoon tea package, priced at 788 yuan ($110), includes a Basque cheesecake and a selection of exquisite desserts and savory snacks offered at TOPS Bar & Lounge glamping site. The movie snack set, priced at 688 yuan features an outdoor movie, as well as a variety of snacks. The Bund view oysters and champagne package, at 658 yuan or 998 yuan, adds a luxurious flavor to the summer glamping experience.

Xinhua - China Daily