Alibaba Fliggy makes strategic investment in home-sharing platform Xiaozhu
>> Alibaba Group's travel booking platform Fliggy has invested in home-sharing platform Xiaozhu for an undisclosed sum. This is not the first time that the ecommerce giant’s associated units have invested in the short-term rental startup. In 2018, Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s Yunfeng Capital was the lead investor in a Xiaozhu financing round that secured nearly USD 300 million.
Southern Chinese city implements 21-day quarantine on overseas arrivals ahead of international trade fair
>> Guangzhou, capital of southern Chinese province Guangdong, will require all overseas arrivals to be subject to a 21-day quarantine at designated isolation centers ahead of The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) to be held in the city as the country has seen COVID-19 surge centered in eastern Fujian Province.
New Beijing airport handles nearly 39 million passenger trips
>> The passenger throughput of Beijing Daxing International Airport totaled nearly 39 million over the past two years. By Sep 22, the airport handled 38.94 million passenger trips and 215,400 tonnes of cargo and mail. A total of 314,600 flights took off and landed at the airport.
Huawei launches cloud-network solution to accelerate airport digital transformation
>> Huawei launched its latest Airport Cloud-Network Solution that offers a wide range of standout features, such as one-stop access, one network for all services, one cloud across multiple areas, and one-stop integrated security. This feature-rich solution empowers the digital transformation of airports to increase operational efficiency, improve security assurance, and enhance travel experience, paving the way toward smart airports.
UK’s Merlin, partners clinch $108 million land deal for Shanghai Legoland
>> A joint venture between Britain's Merlin Entertainments, Chinese conglomerate CMC, and an investment company of the family of the founder of the Lego Group has secured land to build a Legoland in Shanghai amid two other ongoing Lego projects in China. The JV called Shanghai Legoland paid RMB 699 million (USD 108.1 million) to gain the right to use a 318,000-square meter plot of land in Shanghai's Jinshan district.
Macau tightens Covid controls before weeklong China holidays
>> Macau is stepping up travel restrictions as the city tries to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak that could threaten its gaming industry ahead of a weeklong holiday in China. The government will require all residents and visitors to undergo a Covid test as part of a three-day mass screening exercise. It also advised members of the public not to leave the city unless necessary and outbound travelers to present a valid negative Covid test.
New immigrants play role in south Taiwan city’s tourism drive
>> In a bid to boost local tourism, Tainan has tapped into the ethnic diversity of Taiwan by training tour guides who are international students or from new immigrant families. The city has rolled out a program to nurture guides with language skills to attract Southeast Asian tourists.
Geely, Germany’s Volocopter to bring flying cars to china within next five years
>> Chinese carmaking giant Geely Technology Group and Germany’s Volocopter, a maker of electric multirotor helicopters, are to bring air mobility vehicles to China’s cities within the next three to five years.
Ride-hailing platform T3 Travel to complete financing round worth $755 million
>> Ride-hailing platform T3 Travel is about to complete its latest round of financing, including equity financing of more than RMB 5 billion (USD 755 million). This financing round is led by CITIC Group and followed by previous shareholders. The company has also obtained a credit line exceeding RMB 2 billion.
