STORY: Direct charter flight launched between China's Fujian, Maldives
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 14, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:22
LOCATION: FUZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of launching ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HUDA ALI SHAREEF, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of Embassy of Maldives in China
3. various of passengers
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): QIU JING, Passenger
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): XU YANG, Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism

STORYLINE:

The first direct charter flight that connects southeast China's Fujian Province with the Maldives was launched on Wednesday.

The maiden flight operated by Xiamen Airlines took off from Fuzhou Changle International Airport with 230 passengers on board, and landed at Male Airport after 7 hours of flight. 

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HUDA ALI SHAREEF, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Embassy of Maldives in China
"We are very happy that this initiative has been taken by the Fujian Provincial People's Government and Xiamen Airlines. We are very hopeful that the people-to-people exchanges between China and the Maldives will continue to strengthen over the coming year. This is a very auspicious year for China, the Year of the Dragon, which means strength, wisdom and longevity. So we hope that this will be reflected in the China-Maldives relations as well."

The direct charter flight has been applauded by passengers as it significantly cuts time and cost of their travel.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): QIU JING, Passenger
"I just want to take a relaxed journey and hope everything goes well. I'm really looking forward to the flight, including the services and facilities on board."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): XU YANG, Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
"The inauguration of the direct flight from Fuzhou to Male is expected to promote the cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and the Maldives, and to make Fujian an important transit hub for Chinese tourists to travel to the Maldives."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Fuzhou, China.
(XHTV)