Two new all-cargo international routes, connecting northwest China's Shaanxi Province to the Belgian city of Liege and Budapest, the capital of Hungary, took flight this week, marking a significant boost to trade and cultural exchanges between China and Europe.
The two routes will operate two round-trip flights weekly from Xi'an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi, with 104 flights per year.
The inaugural flight to Budapest took off on Saturday. The route is expected to bring about 6,000 tons of international cargo to Xi'an annually.
Hungary is located in the central Europe, and its capital, Budapest, is the country's primary political, commercial, and transportation hub as well as its largest city.
Meanwhile, the launch of the Xi'an-Liege cargo route on Thursday has also established a key link.
Liege is one of Europe's major air cargo hubs, offering round-the-clock freight services and playing a vital role in facilitating trade and cultural exchanges between China and Europe.
"For the Liege route, we mainly transport cross-border e-commerce goods, as well as general trade goods like apparel, electronics and instruments. On the return leg from Liege to Xi'an, the cargo mainly includes European pharmaceuticals, precision instruments, food and international express packages," explained Sue Mengxue, deputy general manager of the Comprehensive Logistics Division at China West Airport Group.
The new cargo routes are expected to further enhance commercial and cultural exchanges between Shaanxi and Europe.
To date, the Airport New City in Xixian New Area of Shaanxi has partnered with the West Airport Group to launch a total of 47 all-cargo air routes, further expanding the air cargo network.
New air cargo routes link China with Belgium, Hungary
The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which opened Tuesday in Zhuhai City of south China's Guangdong Province, showcases several advanced liquid-propellant rocket engines that promise to shape the future of space exploration.
Among the highlights is an 80-ton reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine, which stands out for its economic viability and potential for extensive application in reusable rocket designs. The efficiency of methane positions this engine as a pivotal component for future space missions.
"This engine's most significant feature is its complete reusability, with a capability of at least 50 uses. It has successfully gone through various development tests and is now ready for flight," said Song Dekun from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The 80-ton liquid oxygen-methane engine is tailored for the burgeoning commercial space market, offering substantial thrust while being engineered for reusability. Next to it, another engine designed for commercial space endeavors is on display - a high-altitude engine utilizing liquid oxygen and kerosene as fuel.
"It has a thrust of 72 tons and will be used in the rocket's second stage. The first stage carries the rocket to altitudes of 50 to 60 kilometers, and the second stage operates from there up to 200 kilometers and even into low Earth orbit, where it must ignite in near-vacuum conditions, requiring precise ignition capabilities," said Liu Shang from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Liu added that this engine is delivery-ready and is projected to undertake its inaugural flight in 2025, further solidifying China's position in the global aerospace landscape.
Popularly known as the Zhuhai Airshow, the premier aviation event has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions this year, with Russia, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Italy participating in the air show in groups. The airshow is scheduled to last through Sunday.
Cutting-edge liquid-propellant rocket engines at Zhuhai Airshow to benefit future space travel
