China outlines “third batch” of overseas gambling blacklist measures
>> China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has outlined plans to introduce a “third batch” of blacklist measures aimed at overseas tourist destinations it says are targeting Chinese citizens for gambling activities. The announcement was again light on specifics, other than detailing some measures being taken such as suspending outbound tour groups and tourist visa agency services for overseas cities and scenic spots included on the “blacklist”.
Foreign travelers to China will be able to use the digital yuan, central bank says
>> Foreign travelers to China will be able to use the government-developed digital yuan without a local bank account, the country's central bank said in a paper published last week. The People's Bank of China has been working on developing a digital version of the yuan, known as e-CNY, since 2014. It was not immediately clear when the bankless digital yuan feature would be available.
Virtual event management firm EventX raises $10 million
>> Asia-based enterprise virtual event management company EventX announced it has closed a USD 10 million series B funding co-led by virtual reality (VR) company HTC, and private equity firm Gaocheng Capital. The company has serviced clients including Alibaba, PwC, Yahoo, government departments, and universities.
Herd immunity target well within reach in Hong Kong
>> Some 70 percent of Hong Kong's 6.8 million population eligible for vaccination will have had at least one jab by the end of September, reaching a target that the government has set for herd immunity, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen estimates. Nip made the estimation based on the vaccination progress so far, with around 2.8 million having received at least one vaccine dose as of Saturday, taking the city's rate to 41 percent.
China a step closer to developing space plane with test flight hailed
>> China has successfully tested an experimental spacecraft that state media has hailed “an important symbol of China’s rise from a space power to a space superpower”. The vessel was described by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) as laying “a solid foundation for the development of China’s reusable space transport technology between Earth and space”.
Air carriers flooded with consumer complaints in China
>> Consumer complaints filed with domestic air carriers in China have risen unusually sharply recently, with 7,000 coming in March alone, a more than tenfold increase from two years earlier, according to aviation industry regulators. The unprecedented jump in complaints from flyers is traceable to unlimited flight tickets sold by airlines to stimulate demand for air travel, which shriveled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hunan province launches first trial for all-area, low-altitude flights
>> Central China's Hunan Province became the country's first pilot province for all-area, low-altitude flights on Sunday, marking a major step in China's long-term development plan for its domestic civil aviation industry with more aircraft and airports. Hunan will achieve full coverage of low-altitude manned aircraft monitoring and communication by the end of August.
Up, up and away at rebounding Hongqiao Airport
>> Hongqiao International Airport launched an exhibition and live-streaming event on Sunday to mark its centenary. More than 1.7 million online viewers watched the two-hour event, the second of its kind launched by the city airports to boost business and promote services as domestic flights are restored and passenger volumes pick up.
