කොවිඩ් වසංගතයෙන් පසුව චීන - කියුබා ගුවන්ගමන් යළි ඇරඹේ

Warm welcome for first Beijing-Havana flight since Covid-19

Tourists aboard the first flight between China and Cuba since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were greeted with a grand water tribute as they arrived in their Air China-operated Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Friday.

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, Minister of Tourism Juan Carlos Garcia Granda, Minister of Transportation Adel Onofre Yzquierdo Rodriguez, and Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui were present at the airport to greet the crew and participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

As a gesture of hospitality, tourists were presented with gifts such as straw hats and flowers upon their arrival.

"Although it was a long flight, I felt quite excited," said a Chinese tourist.

"I didn't expect for the flight to be received with a grand water salute or that our group would be greeted with such high honor," said another tourist.

Currently, there are two flights per week on the China-Cuba route, with a stopover in Madrid, Spain.

Minister of Tourism Juan Carlos Garcia Granda stated that Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel has signed a presidential decree and issued a communique, introducing a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens who enter and transit Cuba with ordinary passports for no more than 90 days.

Local authorities expect the resumption of flights to boost tourism, strengthen connectivity and foster cultural exchanges between China and Cuba.

"We are very grateful to the Chinese people. We also believe that the arrival of this first flight will usher us into a new era," said Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.

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