GUANGZHOU, China - July 13, 2000 -
Et-china.com, China's
e-commerce travel web site has signed an exclusive agreement with Guangdong Mobile Communication Company
(GMCC),
to offer WAP phone users real time airline ticket inquiries and real time flight information at Baiyun International
Airport, Guangzhou.
Et-china.com is jointly owned and operated by Et-china.com Investments Pty Limited, an Australia e-commerce investment
company and
China Southern Airlines (NYSE: ZNH) (HKSE: 1055).
GMCC, is a division of China Telecom (HK).
There are approximately 50 million mobile WAP phone users in China, which is expected to reach 70 million by end
of 2000. GMCC has more than six million subscribers in Guangdong Province and dominants mobile WAP phone service
in Southern China.
"We expect most of the new mobile phone subscribers will opt for WAP enabled mobile phones, which would double
or triple China's Internet population within one year," said Mr. Matthew Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Et-china.com.
Et-china.com is further developing software and security technologies with banks and airlines to add payment functions
onto its new WAP service.
Et-china.com can provide customers with online domestic (China) and international air travel booking and ticketing,
travel and hotel reservations. Et-china.com offers real time individual seat selection and meal selection on all
China Southern Airlines' flights as well as luggage and cargo information.