Sichuan Airlines inaugurated direct flights connecting the Spanish capital Madrid with Chengdu, a megacity in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sunday.
It's another sign of growing ties between the two countries.
The new flights depart four times a week between the Chengdu Tianfu airport and Madrid's Barajas.
"The new route is like a golden bridge for both sides. We think our connection between the two countries, two cities, can bring more economy, trade, travel, and tourism. It should be great for everybody," said Gao Pengsong, deputy general manager of international routes of Sichuan Airlines, at an inauguration ceremony in Madrid.
Chengdu is a megacity with a population of over 20 million people and has two international airports, Tianfu and Shuangliu. Tianfu, the newer of the two, started operation in 2021 and has already become China's fifth-largest airport in terms of passengers, with 60 million people flying each year.
A total of 94 million people visited Spain last year, a new record, making it the second-most visited country after France, which hosted the 2024 Olympics. In 2023, about 19.8 million Spaniards traveled outside of the country.
"The Spanish people are willing to travel to China to see how it has changed, and how beautiful China is, while the Chinese travelers are willing to travel to Spain to enjoy the good weather here, the perfect sightseeing here, and also the delicious food. It's amazing," said Gao.
Early on Sunday morning, the queue was already forming at the Sichuan Airlines check-in desk at Madrid's Barajas Airport.
"I'm going to a pet product trade fair in Guangzhou and so flying to Chengdu now, it's definitely more convenient," said business owner Alex.
Mei comes from Chengdu and the route takes her straight home.
"I was here travelling in Spain, and this direct flight is perfect for me," she said.
Direct flights to Madrid are a further sign of a growing trade and diplomatic relationship between the two nations, following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez' visit to Beijing on April 11, and his insistence that Spain and the Europen Union should pursue closer ties with China, despite warnings from Washington.
New Madrid-Chengdu direct flights bring China, Spain closer
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
