CRI听力： China Eastern Airlines Sets up Branch in Beijing

China Eastern Airlines has on Wednesday upgraded its presence in Beijing by setting up a branch in the Chinese capital.

The airline's Qin Yaping says it is an effort to boost the company's market share in the city's fast growing air passenger market.

He also says that the move will help the company integrate its resources and improve services in Beijing.

"As the layout of China's aviation industry indicates, Air China mainly occupies the market in north China, while China Southern Airlines in the south. Based in Shanghai, China Eastern has already built a stronghold in Shanghai. But to have a more complete network support, we have to extend our business in Beijing, which is definitely an important place for China's aviation industry."

China Eastern used to operate only as an office in Beijing. Earlier last year the office was upgraded into a base, allowing the airlines to operate more routes from the capital.

Improving its Beijing presence will make it possible for the airlines to base more jets in the 2008 Olympics city and strengthen its marketing and maintenance services.

China Eastern currently has 11 percent of the capital's airline market, much less than its major rivals Beijing-based Air China and Guangzhou-based China Southern.

The Shanghai-based carrier's action came after China Southern opened its Beijing branch in 2005.