STORY: China's Xinjiang opens direct flight to Armenia
SHOOTING TIME: Sept. 3, 2024
DATELINE: Sept. 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:37
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of passengers at the airport
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JILBERT PETROSIAN, Passenger
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN XI, Passenger
4. various of passengers boarding the plane and the take-off

STORYLINE:

A direct air route has been established between Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the Armenian capital of Yerevan. 

This marks China's first direct flight to Armenia, a country increasingly recognized as a popular travel destination.

The route, operated by China Southern Airlines, runs every Tuesday and Saturday and has a flight duration of around five hours.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JILBERT PETROSIAN, Passenger
"This journey will be much shorter in the flight duration. Usually, it takes me about 20 hours to get to Armenia. But now, even from Beijing or Shanghai, it takes me about 8 or 9 hours to get there. So, this is a very convenient way of travel between Armenia and China."

Armenia has introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, drawing many Chinese tourists on the inaugural day of the new route.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN XI, Passenger
"I booked the flight as soon as this air route was available. I am traveling with my friends and family. I think this air route can deepen the cultural exchanges between our two countries and make it more comprehensive and more thorough. A lot of Chinese tourists will go to Armenia. I think Armenians will also like Chinese culture and come to visit China."

With the route now open, China has full air connectivity with the three countries in the Caucasus region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This enhances opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, and trade cooperation, according to China Southern Airlines.

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