China-India direct flight to restart shortly: Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Monday addressed a seminar commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, emphasising historical ties and shared sacrifices between China and India.

Speaking at the seminar, Xu Feihong said, “It is my great pleasure to be here with all of you at the Chinese Embassy in India. Today, with profound respect for history, deep remembrance of the fallen heroes, and cherishment of peace, we are holding the seminar on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.”

Meanwhile, there is some good news amid a thaw in India-China relations. After five years of no connectivity, India and China are likely to resume direct passenger flights.

The flights between the two countries were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions. Lockdowns and heightened border tensions in both countries caused all commercial passenger flights to stop, although cargo flights persisted.

Before 2020, there were around 500 direct flights per month between India and China. Those flights were operated by Air India, IndiGo, Air China, and China Southern.