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
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said that China has the credibility and goodwill to help broker a lasting peace in the Middle East, and expects it to play a bigger role in the region's peace process.
Araghchi visited China from Dec 27 to 28, 2024, and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) on Dec 28, Araghchi shared his thoughts on China's emerging role as a mediator in the Middle East, including its efforts to broker a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
On March 10, 2023, in a joint statement released with China in Beijing, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement to reopen their embassies and diplomatic missions within two months, marking a milestone in the thawing of their relations.
"It has been more than a year (since the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran). The biggest achievement may be that Iran and Saudi Arabia have started a good process of restoring relations, and both sides are satisfied with the restoration of relations. The restoration of relations has brought benefits to both sides, and this (trend) is still continuing. The two sides have established a good relationship, and (related efforts) are still continuing. Of course, there is still a lot of untapped potential in Iran-Saudi relations, and the restoration of relations between the two countries is a gradual, slow but continuous process. We thank China for its efforts in this regard, and we know that China's help is full of goodwill and the effect is very good," said Araghchi. Araghchi also shared his expectations for China's role in the Middle East peace process in the future.
"We trust China, and we see China's goodwill. China maintains extensive economic and trade relations with all countries in the region, and maintains good and constructive relations with all countries. China is a respected and trustworthy country. I believe that such credibility can allow China to play a political role in the Middle East to help regional countries resolve differences and help them find a peaceful solution. Iran thanks China for its contribution and is willing to continue to cooperate with China," he said.
Iranian FM expects China to play bigger role in Middle East peace process
