A Xiamen Air flight containing 16 tons of anti-epidemic materials departs Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 16. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
Xiamen Air flight MF8873 departed Xiamen, Fujian province for Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia on June 16, carrying 16 tons of essential supplies needed in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, Xiamen Daily reported.
The supplies are expected to help alleviate the shortage of anti-epidemic materials in Saudi Arabia, which is an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to the authorities, the average temperature in Riyadh can reach 42.8 degrees Celsius in June. In case of emergencies due to weather conditions, the airline had worked out a plan to ensure that the supplies arrive at their destination safely.
This was the first direct flight from the Chinese province to Saudi Arabia. Xiamen Air had in late May debuted a new flight route to Valencia, Spain.
The airline said that it is also planning to launch another two cargo flights from Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, to Riyadh.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
