Beijing (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) Chairman VuongDinh Hue attended a ceremony held by Vietnam Airlines in Beijing on April 9 tocelebrate 30 years since the national flag carrier launched the Vietnam-Chinaair route and its 100,000th flights to China.

According to Vietnam Airlines Chairman Dang Ngoc Hoa, thedecision to open the route to China 30 years ago had a strategic commercial importanceto the airline, bridging political, economic and cultural activities betweenthe two countries, promoting the image of Vietnam to the world and deepeningthe Vietnam-China relations.

After 30 years, Vietnam Airlines has expanded its flight network to manylocations across China, he said, adding that currently, the airline isoperating 33 return flights per week in routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi MinhCity and Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Over the past three decades, Vietnam Airlines has conducted100,000 flights, transported nearly 12 million passengers and 166,000 tonnes ofgoods. Notably, Vietnam Airlines was one of the first airlines to resumeflights to China and actively maintain aviation and tourism promotionactivities in the country after the COVID-19 pandemic was controlled, he noted.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quanghighlighted the growing ties between Vietnam and China over the past 74 yearsacross all fields. The two sides have continued to deepen and elevate their comprehensivestrategic cooperative partnership, while building a Vietnam-China community of shared future that carries strategic significance.

China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for manyyears, with import-export turnover approximating 172 billion USD in2023, he noted.

The number of Chinese tourists accounts for about 30% of thetotal number of international visitors to Vietnam.

Deputy PM Quang hailed the role and contributions of Vietnam Airlines to thepromotion of cultural, trade and tourism ties between the two countries bycarrying nearly 12 million passengers between the two countries.

He said he hopes relevant agencies of the two countries willcreate favourable conditions for the aviation industry and airlines of Vietnam,including Vietnam Airlines, to complete their missions.

At the ceremony, Vietnam Airlines and China SouthernAirlines signed a draft joint venture contract. After approval from relevantauthorities, the two airlines will implement joint venture cooperation andenhance coordination in operating flights between Vietnam andChina./.