Three Italy-made super-medium-lift helicopters were commissioned into the Donghai No.1 Rescue Flying Service under the Ministry of Transport in Shanghai on Wednesday.
The three AW189 twin-engine helicopters were manufactured by the multinational company Leonardo from Italy. Their inclusion in the Chinese rescue service extends the maritime search radius in China's eastern sea waters from 110 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles, marking a significant improvement in the maritime rescue capacity in the area. The three helicopters, with a maximum takeoff weight of 8.6 tons, can carry 19 passengers plus two pilots. They are the first batch of AW189 helicopters put into China's rescue flying service.
They have proved their performance in a maritime search-and-rescue exercise put up off Shanghai on Wednesday.
In the drill, the newly commissioned AW189 and rescue vessels were dispatched by the Donghai Rescue Bureau to save three crew members of a chemical tanker carrying phenol, who fell into the water in an explosion.
The AW189 quickly spotted the three, and had them delivered from the water.
"Now (with the AW189), we can immediately take off to perform the rescue within a radius of 180 nautical miles, without having to wait for 7 hours. With this 7 hours, a lot of lives could be saved," said Wei Shuo, deputy director of the safety supervision and management office of the Donghai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.
Three AW189 rescue helicopters put into rescue flying service
Three AW189 rescue helicopters put into rescue flying service
Three AW189 rescue helicopters put into rescue flying service
China's box office revenues, including ticket pre-sales, have surpassed 29 billion yuan (4.2 billion U.S. dollars) for 2026, with 737 million admissions and 106 million screenings recorded so far this year.
A dazzling lineup of summer hits have broken multiple records and drawn audiences back to theaters, with the three-month summer movie season from June to August recording an all-time high revenue of 12.498 billion yuan, up 4.45 percent from the 11.96 billion yuan in the previous summer.
Among this year's top performers is "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East." Set in a war-torn Middle Eastern city, the film follows a Chinese cook who travels abroad in search of a better life, weaving anti-war themes into a culinary story with a cross-cultural commentary.
Hong Kong director Stephen Chow's sports comedy Kung Fu Soccer about a team of female footballers has so far grossed over 2.33 billion yuan at the box office.
"Dear You," a Chaoshan (Teochew)-dialect film, tells a moving story of homesickness and family ties among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Its global box office has now surpassed 2.1 billion yuan.
"All Wishes Come True," which draws inspiration from the classic Chinese folk tale "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea", has been released across North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe, and has topped the charts among Chinese-language films in several countries.
In addition to its box office success, the film has also driven tourists to the real-world landscapes that inspired it.
Penglai in Yantai City, east China's Shandong Province has long been associated with the "Eight Immortals" legend.
At the heart of the destination is Penglai Pavilion, a historic complex overlooking the Yellow Sea.
Visitors can explore "Eight Immortals"-themed products, ride a panoramic cable car or take a speedboat across the sea.
Nearly 20 scenic spots and commercial areas are offering special deals to moviegoers, with some promotions running through September 30.
"Penglai is a very famous place. After watching 'All Wishes Come True,' I wanted to bring my child here. It really feels like stepping into the story," said one visitor.
China's 2026 box office revenues hit 29 billion yuan
