China's C919 jetliner on Shanghai-Hong Kong route welcomes passengers

The first regular flight of China's homegrown C919 jetliner flying from Shanghai to Hong Kong on Wednesday welcomed its passengers who were excited to witness the airliner's first-ever regional commercial operation.

The jet carrying 157 passengers took off from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 08:21 and landed at the Hong Kong International Airport at 10:44, marking the inauguration of this type of aircraft's regular services on this route.

Many of the boarding passengers said they booked the flight to witness this special moment.

"I've come together with my son. We've looked forward to this moment for a long time," said a passenger.

"Happened to get the chance this time and managed to snap the ticket ups. Just to take it for a unique and significant new year and a record of this year. Also as a historic evidence, which sounds nice. Also as a historic evidence, which sounds nice," said her son.

To ensure that C919 passengers will have comfortable and smooth travel experience, Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection opened special channels to help them check in more efficiently.

"We've opened special channels in the border inspection hall of the Hongqiao airport for passengers boarding C919 on the day," said Dong Jianguo, director of the border inspection division of Hongqiao Border Inspection Station under Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection.

China Eastern Airlines, operator of the flight route, said the company hopes the trip will serve as tangible proof of the development of China's civil aviation technology.

"It is the most significant and newest one among the new flight routes we inaugurated to major cities around the country operated by C919 aircraft. I hope passengers flying on this route could fully feel for and experience the development and progress of our country's civil aviation science and technology," said Shang Feng, general manager of C919 Flight Division of Shanghai Flight Department of China Eastern Airlines.

China's C919 jetliner on Shanghai-Hong Kong route welcomes passengers

China's sharp countermeasures against U.S. "reciprocal tariffs" demonstrate the country's zero tolerance towards actions that undermine the global multilateral trading system, according to an expert.

Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs", imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imported goods and higher rates on certain trading partners. The order took effect from Saturday.

For China, it faces a 34-percent tariff from the United States. That was on top of the existing tariff of 20 percent.

Following the U.S. decision to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese exports to the United States, China's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Friday that the move taken by the U.S. does not conform to international trade rules, seriously undermines China's legitimate rights and interests, and represents a typical act of unilateral bullying.

It also announced that China will impose additional 34-percent tariffs on all products imported from the United States starting from April 10.

Wang Yaojing, assistant professor of economics with Peking University, pointed out that China's countermeasures shows its clear stance in opposing unilateralism and protectionism.

"China's countermeasures clearly demonstrate zero tolerance against actions that seek to undermine the global multilateral trading ecosystem. These harmful moves have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. And China's countermeasures are both well-prepared and timely," Wang emphasized.

China’s countermeasures show zero tolerance towards US unilateralism, protectionism: expert