United Parcel Service, which moved its Chinese headquarters to Shanghai earlier this year, yesterday said it hopes to operate more flights between China and the United States as it bids to build Shanghai into an important constituent of its global network.

UPS, the world's leading express service provider, moved its Chinese head-quarters from Hong Kong in July. The office oversees operations in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Province.

"Our business here has been growing fast. If it continues to grow and we're unable to launch more flights, then our current flights will soon be fully occupied," said UPS President David Abney, in town to attend the Forbes CEO conference.

The US-based giant currently operates 24 weekly ser-vices to and from Shanghai.

Without providing business details for Shanghai, Abney said UPS' Chinese business grew by 45 percent in the second quarter of this year, much higher than its global average growth rate of 6.2 percent and 15 percent in Asia Pacific during the same period.

Chen Xuechun, managing director for its China business, said: "Plans to improve service in Shanghai, like setting up more ground facilities, depend on more flights."

China and the US are to discuss bilateral air services in November, which air carriers in both countries hope will bring more business for them.

Abney also called for more smooth customs clearance and better infrastructure facilities in cities around Shanghai. "Shanghai boasts complete and modern infrastructure, but there is still a lot to do to connect the city with other places in China," he added.

(Shanghai Daily September 18, 2003)