Cathay Pacific said in Beijing Sunday it will strengthen cooperation with Air China, in order to satisfy the need of Chinese mainland's tourists.

From October 28, frequent flyers of Cathay Pacific and Air China are able to accumulate mileage when they fly with each others' airline. This is another important step for Cathay Pacific after it held 9.99 percent of Air China's shares last year, said Lionel Kwok, chief representative of Cathay in Beijing.

He said Cathay can provide quality service for mainland travelers with its huge network. Transferring via Hong Kong, the major hub in Asia Pacific area, residents of Chinese mainland can fly to north America, Europe and Oceania.

Cathay Pacific now operates 14 weekly flights from Beijing to Hong Kong and three weekly flights from Xiamen to Hong Kong. It also operates 12 weekly cargo flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Cathay now flies to 92 destinations of 35 nations and regions. 

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2005)