Narayan AmmachchiA China Southern Airlines aircraft landed in Mexico City last weekend, officially innaugurating the first direct flight from China to Latin America.
The airline will operate flights from Shenzhen, in South China’s Guangdong Province, to Mexico City twice a week, covering a distance of over 14,000 kilometers. It is the longest direct international route in China and one of the ten longest direct flights globally.
Previously, Chinese travelers heading to Mexico or other Latin American destinations had to endure one or two layovers in North America, Europe or the Middle East, often resulting in 30 to 40 hours of flight. The new direct flight significantly reduces travel time.
Mexico, as China’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, is a popular destination for affluent Chinese tourists.
Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that this new route would enhance personnel exchanges and serve as a bridge for deeper cooperation in tourism, economy, culture and other sectors.
Trade between China and Latin America reached over US$489 billion in 2023, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.1%, according to Chinese government data. Currently, 22 Latin American countries have signed cooperation agreements with China under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China has a free trade agreement with Ecuador and is trying to forge a similar relationship with other countries in the region.
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