Bedecked with the Chinese national flag, China's domestically developed C909 passenger jet completed the first international commercial flight on Tuesday.
Carrying 74 passengers, the plane took off at about 08:00 from Hohhot Baita International Airport in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and headed to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia.
"I'm traveling abroad for the first time, and it just happens to be the maiden international flight of the homegrown aircraft. I feel really lucky and proud," said a passenger.
"It's a moment of national pride. This truly showcases the significant progress in China's aviation industry," said another.
After a smooth flight of just over an hour, the plane arrived in Mongolia, where it was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, the highest honor in aviation.
"It's a great honor to captain the C909 bedecked with the Chinese national flag on its first international mission. We conducted a comprehensive operational risk assessment for the route, taking into account aircraft performance, airspace structure, airport operating standards, and meteorological conditions to formulate a precision flight plan accordingly," said Liu Yongguang, captain of the flight.
The C909 celebrated the 9th anniversary of its maiden flight on Saturday. A total of 166 C909 aircraft have been delivered to the market, which have operated on more than 700 routes and transported over 24 million passengers.
China's C909 starts first int'l commercial flight to Mongolia
Chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, Cheng Li-wun, on Tuesday underlined the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to the separatist forces in Taiwan in the cross-Strait relations.
Cheng made the remarks after she arrived in Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, via Shanghai with her delegation for a mainland visit that will run through Sunday.
Upon arrival in Nanjing, Cheng thanked Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and mainland authorities for their warm reception. She said the visit is of great significance for maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and improving people's well-being.
"It once again proves that the political foundation of the '1992 Consensus' and the opposition to the separatist forces in Taiwan remains evergreen. Historical experience has fully demonstrated that as long as the '1992 Consensus' is adhered to and the separatist forces in Taiwan is opposed, exchanges and dialogues can be conducted across the Taiwan Strait," said Cheng.
Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, welcomed Cheng and her delegation in Shanghai.
Song said he believes Cheng's trip would allow her to personally witness the mainland's tremendous developmental achievements under the leadership of Xi and the CPC, as well as the goodwill of the people in the mainland toward compatriots in Taiwan, which will garner high recognition and support from people on both sides of the Strait.
He added that the two parties should prioritize national interests and the well-being of people across the Strait, work together to promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and jointly contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
At the invitation of CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping, the delegation is scheduled to visit Jiangsu Province, Shanghai and Beijing, marking the first time in a decade that a KMT chairperson has led a delegation to the Chinese mainland.
KMT chairwoman underscores importance of 1992 Consensus during mainland visit
