First direct air route between China, Argentina hailed by passengers, tourism sector

Passengers and tourism sector in Buenos Aires have hailed the launch of the first direct air route between China and Argentina, believing the twice-weekly service will boost tourism and ties between the two countries.

China Eastern Airlines' flight MU745 touched down in Buenos Aires on Thursday afternoon, marking the official launch of the first direct air route between China and Argentina.

The flight departed Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 02:19 Beijing time on Thursday, made a two-hour stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, and arrived at Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport after a whole flight of about 25 hours and 30 minutes.

Passengers on the flight were greeted with applause and emotional reunions upon arrival.

"Actually, it's my dream to come to South America, including Argentina. It's kind of a challenge for our age. We're over 50! [If] 30, it's fine. The flight is convenient and comfortable," said Jack, a Chinese tourist.

This is the first direct flight linking South America and China. Before this route opened, the options available to those traveling between South America and China was to fly via Europe, via North America, or via the Middle East, with time in the air well over 30 hours.

"[When I traveled to China,] I went via Frankfurt. I had a 10-hour layover, so it was very long. This flight was 26 hours in total," said Emilio del Campo, another passenger.

Spanning over 20,000 kilometers, the new link has broken the record for the world's longest one-way flight.

"Everyone was waiting for this flight. We all were. Everyone was wondering when tickets would go on sale. From hotels waiting for Chinese tourists to come, to everything related to the tourism sector. And there are also Argentinians who want to experience this new route," said Cristina Hung, a business manager with Hungs Tourism.

For 25 years, this agency in the Chinese neighborhood in Buenos Aires has sold travel packages for those traveling between the two countries.

"[The flight] will comprehensively promote such areas as tourism, trade, and culture. It will make a wide range of activities easier, from economic missions and trade fairs to investment, academic collaboration, and more," said Ana Wang, manager of the travel agency.

First direct air route between China, Argentina hailed by passengers, tourism sector

Influenza activity in China has declined for four consecutive weeks, with recent tests showing common pathogens and no evidence of new infectious diseases, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Tuesday.

At its first press briefing of 2026, the commission reported that flu activity nationwide remains moderate at the moment.

According to Xin Li, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory samples collected from sentinel hospitals indicated that the influenza virus was the most common pathogen, accounting for 27.4 percent of cases, followed by respiratory syncytial virus at 8.8 percent and rhinovirus at 5.7 percent.

"Influenza activity in China has declined for four consecutive weeks and remains at a moderate level overall. Analysis of nationwide fever clinic consultations, influenza-like illness cases at sentinel hospitals, and multi-pathogen testing shows that all detected pathogens are known common ones, with no evidence of unknown pathogens or new infectious diseases," Xin told the press.

Data from sentinel hospitals indicated flu activity was falling across provincial-level regions, while reports of school outbreaks dropped for five consecutive weeks. Laboratory tests showed that 97.3 percent of positive influenza samples were H3N2 subtype viruses.

China flu activity declines for fourth week, no new pathogens detected: official