Roundup

RIDING THE RAILS

China saw an increase in passenger trips across its urban rail transit networks in March, official data showed. The country's rail transit lines in urban areas registered 2.54 billion passenger trips in the month, surging 58.9 percent year-on-year, data from the Ministry of Transport showed. The volume went up 16.6 percent month-on-month. At the end of March, China had 292 urban rail transit lines in operation across 54 cities, with a total length of 9,652 kilometers, according to the ministry.

LOFTY LANDINGS

China currently has 43 airports that are no lower than 1,524 meters above sea level, the most in the world, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Of them, 23 airports stand at altitudes of 2,438 meters or higher, while 20 airports are between 1,524 meters and 2,438 meters above sea level. Located 4,411 meters above sea level, Daocheng Yading Airport in Southwest China's Sichuan province is the highest civil airport in China and the world.

GAME RULES PROPOSAL

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Thursday that it has started soliciting public opinions on a draft regulation pertaining to murder mystery games, commonly called jubensha, which includes a prohibition on venues admitting underage customers on school days. The draft regulation stipulates that murder mystery game venues must specify age ranges for their games, adding that venues should not offer inappropriate games to minors. To participate in murder mystery games, children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by their parents or other guardians, according to the draft regulation.

HOTEL EXPANSION

Marriott International announced plans in late March to expand its portfolio in China with the anticipated addition of 47 hotels in 2023, comprising more than 12,000 rooms. That will bring the company's presence in the country to more than 500 properties and well over 150,000 rooms, according to the hospitality group. The overall expansion builds on the company's "brand plus destination" development strategy to enhance guest accommodations through the company's portfolio of 30 brands. Encompassing luxury, premium and select service brands, Marriott said it is well positioned in China with more than 475 hotels across more than 130 destinations.

ONBOARD RESCUE

While a CZ3902 plane operated by China Southern Airlines was taxiing to depart from Kunming in Yunnan province on April 9, heading for Beijing, a middle-aged man surnamed Zhang on board asked for help, saying that he had difficulties in breathing and needed to terminate the journey. Lin Yanni, chief steward, found his face had turned pale with beads of sweat on his forehead. Lin immediately reported the situation to the captain, arranged for crew members to call for a doctor on the intercom, prepare an oxygen bottle and assigned a colleague to take care of him. In response to the broadcast notice, a nurse came forward. After a quick check, she suspected Zhang of acute angina, so suggested he take pills and seek treatment quickly. As a result, the captain decided to taxi the plane back to the terminal. As this happened, the crew explained their return to the passengers. Zhang, who was sent to hospital, was getting better when crew members contacted him after their arrival in Beijing.

China Daily - Xinhua