Gu made the remark in response to market hearsay on reshuffle of the country’s aviation industry and possible merger between Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern so as to build up their muscle on the Shanghai market.

Shanghai Airlines has business cooperation with Air China, but few with China Eastern, according to Gu.

However, he revealed that, Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern, as two carriers taking Shanghai as their base market, will consult with responsible governmental departments on building Shanghai into an international shipping hub. (Edited by Chen Dongyi, )