China mysteriously shuts Pudong airport for two hours

SHANGHAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) Shanghai, which aims to become a global transport and business capital, mysteriously closed its international airport for two hours today.

Outbound flights were delayed while flights into Shanghai were diverted to other airports, said an official at Pudong International Airport's air command centre. The closure was not publicly advertised ahead of time.

''It was closed for two hours. The airspace control was ordered by the state. It is not the airport's problem,'' the official said by telephone.

Asked the reason, the official said the closure was on the orders of the Central Military Commission, adding: ''it is a state secret''. He did not give his name.

Hong Kong media said the closure was due to a military exercise.

A city government spokeswoman confirmed the closure, but did not provide a reason.

China frequently delays or cuts flights because of bad weather, and sometimes closes airports temporarily for security reasons if top officials are passing through. But major restrictions at Pudong International Airport, serving the country's biggest city, are rare.

REUTERS PDM BS1805