This article only represents the author's own views.

China is home to some of the world’s largest hotel operators, which have grown at lightning speed over the last two decades by catering to the nation’s newly emerging middle class with a strong taste for travel. But the group is also largely insular, often focused on the middle- to lower-end of the market and shunning tie-ups with major global operators.

One of the few exceptions to that rule is H World Group (HTHT.US; 1179.HK), which formed a major alliance with France’s Accor (AC.PA), operator of the Sofitel and Ibis brands, back in 2016. Now, Hangzhou-based upscale operator Delonix Group has joined that small club with its announcement of a new tie-up with global heavyweight Marriott International (MAR.US).