Beijing, April 16: With over 5000 mountaineers from different countries gathered in Tibet to climb Mt Everest and two other top peaks, China is all set to turn the “roof of the world” into a major tourist attraction.
Mountaineers from China, the US, France, Russia, Spain and some other countries have gathered in Tibet since early this month to climb Mt Qomolangma (Tibetan name for Mt Everest), Zhuoaoyou and Xixiabangma, a top official of China Tibet Mountaineering Association said today.
Climbers entered the mountaineering base on the Chinese side before starting for the summit, Zhang Mingxing, general secretary of the association told reporters.
Mt Zhuoaoyou and Xixiabangma are the sixth and 14th highest peaks in the world respectively.
It has been the biggest group of mountaineers in Tibet’s history in the April to June climbing season, official Xinhua news agency reported.
The mountaineers will not start climbing before completing their base camp construction and adapting training, while Zhang’s association has sent 60 professionals to help guarantee their safety.
According to Zhang, the Tibet Mountaineering School and saint mount expedition company have committed to give any possible assistance to the climbers.
Also, a professional team has been set up to respond in alpine rescue, garbage removal and to repair the north slope climbing route of Mt Qomolangma.
Tibet to have its own airlines: China
China on Thursday announced the establishment of Tibet Airlines, which would operate with its own fleet of aircraft.
“Tibet Airlines Co Ltd will be established in May and be China’s first airline based in Tibet Autonomous Region,” state-run ‘Xinhua’ newsagency quoted sources in charge of the company’s preparatory team as saying.
Tibet Airlines, with a registered capital of USD 41.2, will be headquartered at Konggar Airport in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, and will provide domestic cargo and passenger services, said Cheng Hui, head of the preparatory team for Tibet Airlines.
The company will have 20 aircraft within the first five years of operation and the airlines fleet will expand in line with market demand, said Cheng.
“Our top choices will be Boeing 737 and Airbus A319.”
All the planes will be modified to adapt to the plateau environment, and flights will begin in mid 2011, Cheng said, adding that most employees will be recruited from Tibet.
State-owned Tibet Investment Co Ltd will own a 51 per cent stake in the company while the remainder will be held by two Lhasa-based investment companies, Sanli and Ruiyi.
The establishment of Tibet Airlines was approved by the General Administration of Civil Aviation in March, amid robust growth in Tibet tourism. Currently, Air China has a 50 per cent share of Tibet’s aviation market.
China has established different airline companies in different provinces under the umbrella of its flag ship company Air China.
Earlier, Chinese had said a new airport built near the world’s tallest peak Mount Everest in Xighaze in Tibet will become operational in October and would boost tourist traffic in the region, in a move that would enhance its reach closer to Indian and Nepalese border.
The airport being constructed at the cost of USD 71.7 million was also expected to boost tourist traffic to Xigaze where the Tashilhungpo Monastery headed by the Chinese appointed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu is located.
Construction of the Peace Airport in Xigaze prefecture began in April last year and would be completed in September, making its opening in October feasible.
The airport would be able to handle 230,000 passengers and 1,150 tonnes of cargos and allow 2,580 take-offs and landings annually by 2020, according to Xinhua newsagency.
The project will boost investment and tourism in Xigaze, the second largest city in Tibet.
-PTI