China relaxes rules for foreigners applying for port visas (in Chinese)
China's National Immigration Administration said it starts from January 11 implementing measures to facilitate foreigners coming to China, including easing the conditions for foreigners applying for port visas to enter China. The measures are aimed primarily at foreigners urgently needing to engage in trade cooperation, visits, investment, visiting relatives, or handling personal affairs in China.
Cathay task force probes cancellations
Cathay Pacific had a task force to probe the company's flight cancellations. Flight cancellations peaked at 27 flights last Sunday and will be fewer in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, sister brand HK Express has been ranked third globally and first in Asia for on-time performance among low-cost carriers by aviation data analytics firm Cirium.
China's homegrown C919 jetliner flies on Beijing-Shanghai route
The C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, commenced operation on a new route connecting the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai on Tuesday. Flight MU5137, operated by China Eastern Airlines, departed from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport around 3:40 p.m. (Beijing Time). With a seat occupancy rate of over 85 percent, the flight reached Beijing Daxing International Airport nearly two hours later. This marks the second regular route for the C919, following the previously launched Shanghai Hongqiao-Chengdu Tianfu route.
Chinese ice-and-snow theme park breaks world record
The Harbin Ice-Snow World attraction in China earned a Guinness World Record for the largest temporary ice and snow theme park. The park has been an annual attraction in Harbin, Heilongjiang, since 1999, and this year's version was verified by Guinness World Records as covering an area of 8,790,697.3 square feet, making it the largest theme park of its type in the world.
China to add 2,500 new international flights over upcoming major holidays
Airlines in China plan to add more than 2,500 new international scheduled flights and charter flights for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays. Additional flights to Japan and Thailand will exceed 600, followed by more than 200 to South Korea,150 to Singapore and 100 to Malaysia and Indonesia.
AirAsia responds to visa changes with new China, India links
AirAsia plans to open new routes from Malaysia to points in mainland China and India over the coming weeks in response to the relaxation of visa entry requirements. Malaysia began allowing visa-free entry to citizens of China, India and several Middle East nations in December, enabling them to stay for up to 30 days. The move, announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, aims to boost inbound tourism from China and India, which are the country’s fourth- and fifth-largest sources of tourists, respectively.
Chinese regulator expects aviation industry to swing back to profit in 2024
China’s aviation regulator said it expects the nation’s airlines to return to profit this year after posting a combined loss of nearly RMB 30 billion (USD 4.2 billion) last year. The industry shrank its loss by RMB 187.2 billion (USD 26.2 billion) in 2023, Song Zhiyong, director general of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said at the annual National Civil Aviation Conference held yesterday.
Tourism boom sparks exchanges of love between north and south
Eleven preschoolers from South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region toured Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, one of China's hottest tourist spots this winter. To express gratitude for the great care and hospitality the kids received, Guangxi sent nearly 200 tons of fresh tangerines to Harbin as a thank-you gift. The story continued with Harbin sending back more gifts to Guangxi, which gradually evolves into a "gift" and friendship exchange craze sweeping across the country.
