CHINA
ROADS
A13
Construction of highways under the auspices of the National Economic Council progressed rapidly, and at the end of July 1936 the total length of highways completed amounted to 163,715 kilometres, of which 97,472 kilometres have been opened to traffic, while there are still another 16,793 kilometres under construction. Interprovincial trunk lines between the provinces of Kiangsu, Chekiang, Anhwei, Kiangsi, Hopeh, Hunan, Honan, Fukien, and the North-western provinces totalled 23,478 kilometres on the 31st October 1936.
COMMERCIAL AVIATION
The report of the China National Aviation Corporation reflects the remarkable progress made in the year 1936, during which there was in increase of over 100 per cent in passenger kilometres flown as compared with 1935. The following table illustrates the rapid advance made in commercial aviation by the Corporation during the recent years:-
Kilometres
Flown.
Passenger
1929
1930
1931
1932
...
1933
1934
1935
...
1936
Passengers Kilogrammes of
Kilometres Flown.
Carried.
Mail Carried.
93, 167
106,875
354
3,932
531,196
1,027,902
2,654
17,893
716,201
976,831
2,296
34,428
693,842
1,247,265
3,153
50,851
1,024,963
1,451,384
3,138
49,246
1,435,460
2,553,283
5,224
58,052
1,955,801
5,857,103
10,404
64,527
2,466,477
12,006,944
18,567
70,806
Since the 13th July 1936 the express one-day air service between Shanghai and Chengtu was augmented to three round trips weekly the timetaken for the flight by the Douglas Transports from Shanghai to Hankow being three hours, and to Chengtu-a distance of 1,981 kilometres-less than seven hours. Three round trips were made weekly during the summer season 1935 on the Shanghai-Peiping line by Douglas Transports. The popularity of the service, however induced the Corporation on the 9th June 1936 to auginent fhe summer schedule to a daily service. Since the 1st September 1936 three round trips weekly have been made on the Shanghai-Canton line, the distance of 1,623 kilometres being covered in less than seven hours. Hong Kong was included in this service on the 5th November 1936. Through air service to France was made possible on the 13th February 1936, Canton being linked with Hanoi on a schedule of one round trip, weekly. The China National Aviation Corporation have placed on record their appreciation of the generous co-operation of the French Minister of Air and the British Authorities which made possible the establishment of China's international air links. With the co-operation of the Directorate General of Posts zone rates were abolished for air mail, and a domestic air-mail surcharge of 25 cents plus 5 cents ordinary postage, or 30 cents for 20 grammes, was instituted for all points in China. With the placing in service of the Douglas Transports passenger fares were substantially reduced, the reductions varying from 10 to 50 per cent. Three additional Douglas Transports will be delivered to the Corporation before the summer of 1937 and the present express service of three round trips weekly will be increased to five round trips on the Shanghai-Chengtu line. It will also be possible to increase the present schedule of three one-day round trips between Shanghai and Peiping to five. During February 1937 the arrival is anticipated of a new Sikorsky S-43 Amphibian with a passenger capacity of 18 and a cruising speed of 270 kilometres. This plane, placed on the Shanghai-Canton line, will greatly improved that service. After extensive experiment a Telefunken Homing Device has been installed in the Douglas Transports. All of the large planes will be fitted with this device shortly, and at the same time 14: radio beacons will be installed to complete improvements in the navigational system, When these radio beacons are established and all the Corporation's planes are fitted with the Telefunken Homing Device, the China National Aviation Corporation will have a radio navigation system ranking among the best in the world.