When the “Yiwu Pilot Project” was being vigorously promoted, Yiwu Air Port welcomed the 5th anniversary for its temporary opening, and that Yiwu Airport again let open the “Yiwu-Hong Kong Direct Flight”, with the direct flight time being extended to six months (namely, July 1st to December 31st).

　According to insiders, the direct flight not only narrowed the distance between Yiwu City and Hong Kong, and shortened the distance between Yiwu City and the international market, but also built an “Air Bus” for central regions of Zhejiang Province to touch the international arena.

　　New International Tourism Channel in Zhejiang

　　Today, people from Zhejiang can arrive at Hong Kong through three air ports like Hangzhou Airport, Ningbo Airport, and Wenzhou Airport. Thanks to the direct flight between Yiwu and Hong Kong, a new international tourism channel is built for Yiwu, central regions of Zhejiang Province, and even the entire Zhejiang Province.

　　As an international renowned tourist resort, Hong Kong is also touted as “Dynamic Capital and Charming City”. While being interviewed, Huang Jiangying, general manager of Yiwu Hopeful International Travel Co., Ltd., said: “Hong Kong and Macao Trip is a welcome tour line, and over past two years, more than 2000 tourists participated in our company’s Hong Kong and Macao Trip each year. Particularly during the summer or winter vacation, more tourists registered the Hong Kong and Macao Trip. This year, the direct flight between Yiwu and Hong Kong is arranged on July 1st, which facilitates tourists’ registration in the Hong Kong and Macao Trip during the summer vacation”.

　　Besides, the direct flight between Yiwu and Hong Kong also facilitates sightseeing tourists and families & friends visiting groups who ever entered Zhejiang Province and central regions of Zhejiang Province through Hong Kong. According to Huang Jiangying, Hopeful Company received a families & friends visiting group consisting of nearly 50 persons last year, and most group members were natives of Jinhua, Dongyang, and Lanxi.

　　More and More Convenient “Silk Road in the Air”

　　Hong Kong, a free port, is also a world-renowned financial center, shipping center, and trade center, and so transshipment at Hong Kong is a shortcut for the hinterland to walk towards the world. As the international petty commodity circulation center, information center, display center, Yiwu City is becoming a beachhead for overseas enterprises to expand the inland market.

　　In view of this, the direct flight between Yiwu and Hong Kong is of great significance.

　　East Star Holding Group, located in Suxi Township, roots in Yiwu City and gives full swing to its Hong Kong-based Jie Jie Import & Export Co., Ltd.’s strong points to sell its petty commodities to all corners of the world. Ying Jun, president of Yongkang Chamber of Commerce in Yiwu, said: “in the past, we shuttled between Yiwu and Hong Kong by air through Hongzhou City of Shanghai City, which was inconvenient. Now, the traffic becomes more efficient”.

　　Incomplete statistics reveal that Jinhua City has set up 20 enterprises in Hong Kong, and therein, Yiwu incorporated 6 enterprises, with investment value hitting US$ 13.735 million. For instance, such enterprises as Shin Kong Group and East Star built up branches in Hong Kong.

　　Meanwhile, some overseas enterprises also define Yiwu City as the beachhead for their entry into China daily consumer goods market. It is learned from the Section Chief of Yiwu Municipal Foreign Economy and Trade Bureau Zhu Jun that over past years, more and more Hong Kong-based enterprises founded companies in Yiwu. For instance, Yiwu Shawa Trade Co., Ltd. from Hong Kong was registered in Yiwu in January this year. Data from relevant departments shows that as at May 31st, Hong Kong had set up 150 firms in Yiwu City all told.

　　According to the survey, 45% of foreign purchasers in Yiwu expect to develop Yiwu market through the transshipment at Hong Kong.

　　Also, convention and exhibition exchange between Yiwu and Hong Kong was frequently held. For instance, enterprises like Hong Kong Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. held exhibition in Yiwu City to expand the inland market, and merchants from Yiwu City made the most of Hong Kong market to seek international purchasers.

　　“Yiwu Pilot Project” Accelerates the Normalization of Direct Flight between Yiwu and Hong Kong.

　　Data reveals that in 2010, people who applied for visiting Hong Kong in Yiwu City hit 15200 person-times, representing a year-on-year increase of 48.08%, and people who transacted the endorsement for visiting Hong Kong and Macao in Yiwu touched 5310 person-times, representing a year-on-year increase of 25.56%. That fully exemplifies the potential of the direct flight between Yiwu and Hong Kong.

　　According to temporary opening of Yiwu Air Port over past four years, Yiwu-Hong Kong Flight Course is becoming more and more welcome, and both sides are making endeavor to realize the formal running of the Yiwu Air Port.

　　In March this year, the State Council officially approved the “Yiwu Pilot Project”, symbolizing that the opening of Yiwu Air Port will bring in inexhaustible power and there will be an opportunity for Yiwu Air Port’s formal and whole-year opening.

　　As a matter of fact, Zhejiang Province listed Yiwu Air Port into the “Zhejiang Province Port Development Planning during the 12th Five-year Plan” in May, 2010, in addition to submitting the document to the State Port Administration Office for winning strong support. At present, the Yiwu Airport International Terminal’s preparatory work is being promoted, and the construction will be kicked off in the second half of this year.

We are convinced that with the robust promotion of the “Yiwu Pilot Project” Yiwu –Hong Kong Flight Course will become better and better.