Air Serbia launched its inaugural direct flight from Belgrade to China's Shanghai on Saturday.
The first flight departed from the Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade at 00:45 local time (2345 GMT Friday), carrying over 100 young participants in a student exchange program between Serbia and China.
This is Air Serbia's third direct flight route to China, and its first flight route to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The airline announced that the route will operate twice a week during winter, with departures from Belgrade on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and from Shanghai on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Prior to Saturday's departure, a ceremonial sendoff was held at the airport of Belgrade on Friday night, which was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Highlighting the significance of direct connectivity with China in light of growing trade and tourism, the president noted that Serbia's trade with China reached nearly 7 billion euros in 2024, with about 147,000 Chinese tourists visiting the country.
Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming said in his address that the new flight is a significant step to further expand exchanges and cooperation, facilitate personnel exchanges, and bring tangible benefits to the two peoples.
The new flight is also the first new international route at Shanghai Pudong International Airport this year, and with its launch, Serbia became the 47th Belt and Road partner country to operate an air route at the airport.
According to the statistics from Shanghai's customs administration, 30 international passenger and cargo routes were added or resumed in Shanghai's airports in 2024, with more than 35 million inbound and outbound trips, up 90 percent year on year.
Air Serbia launches direct flight to Shanghai
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
