Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news

Following its latest entry of a regional base at the Beijing airport last September, China Southern Airlines Co Ltd plans to upgrade its Shanghai Office to a regional base to sharpen its competitive edges, today's Laodong Daily reported.
The move parallels expansions of Air China and China Eastern Airlines Co Ltd, the other two of China's big three air groups, to enhance their footholds in Shanghai, one of the country's key air hubs.
Air China, the country's flagship carrier, upgraded its Shanghai office to a regional base last July. China Eastern Airlines Co Ltd, a Shanghai-based group, has taken over one-third of the Shanghai air business, already the biggest share holder of the local market.
According to the Laodong Daily report, China Southern Airlines plans to launch Northwestern China routes, such as to Xi'an and Dunhuang, in the second quarter and introduce its overseas flights leaving from Shanghai after June. 
In the cargo sector, the company plans to set up a freight base to exploit the international cargo transport business.