China Eastern to Double Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires ‘Tri-Continental’ Service
China Eastern to Double Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires Service, Boosting China–South America Connectivity
Chicago Chinese Consulate to Suspend Visa Counter on 3 July
Latest News
Macau Extends ‘Smart Clearance’ Facial-Recognition Gates to Three Major Ports
Macau will switch on “Smart Clearance” facial-recognition e-channels at Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge checkpoint on 25 June, after a successful pilot at Hengqin handled 6.21 million crossings. Travellers who register can now clear immigration in about five seconds without showing ID, freeing capacity for the region’s surging cross-border tourism and business travel. The upgrade underscores China’s rapid adoption of AI-driven, contactless border controls that corporate mobility teams should factor into travel planning.
China Eastern Unveils 2026 International Route Map, Adding 12 New Cities
China Eastern will open at least 12 new overseas routes in 2026 and add flights on key Europe and Oceania sectors, greatly expanding China’s international seat capacity. The move offers multinationals fresh city-pair options, more competitive fares and smoother itineraries for project teams and assignees.
Air China Deploys Domestic C919 Jet on Beijing–Yan’an Route, Paving Way for Wider Fleet Use
Air China has introduced the domestically manufactured COMAC C919 on a Beijing–Yan’an rotation, the carrier’s first scheduled use of the jet. The move signals broader adoption of the fuel-efficient aircraft and foreshadows its eventual appearance on regional international routes important to corporate travellers.
Aeroflot Adds Direct Regional Flights to Sanya, Expanding Russia–China Leisure Corridor
Starting in July, Aeroflot will fly once a week from St Petersburg, Kazan and Ufa to Sanya, adding to its Moscow service and capitalising on China’s visa-free entry for Russians. The expansion shortens journey times for regional travellers and is forecast to boost winter tourist arrivals in Hainan by 50,000.
Xiamen Air to Open First-Ever Xiamen–London Heathrow Non-Stop Service
Starting 6 September 2026, Xiamen Air will fly non-stop between Xiamen and London Heathrow three times weekly, giving Fujian Province its first direct link to the UK’s busiest airport and trimming hours off corporate itineraries. The route strengthens China–UK trade, tourism and student flows as long-haul capacity rebounds.
Japan’s Embassy in Beijing hikes visa fees from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026 the Japanese Embassy in Beijing will raise single-entry visa fees from CN¥440 to CN¥715 and multiple-entry fees to CN¥1,430, with discounted rates preserved only for Indian nationals. The change comes amid surging post-pandemic demand for Japan travel and will push up mobility costs for Chinese corporates that rely on frequent staff rotations. Applicants who file before 30 June can still pay the old tariff.
China Eastern locks in larger Europe schedule for winter 2026/27
Network-filing data dated 24 June 2026 confirm that China Eastern will keep enhanced frequencies on five European routes for the W-26/27 season, including daily Shanghai–Barcelona and nine-weekly Shanghai–Frankfurt. The move secures winter slot rights and boosts capacity for business and cargo flows between China and key EU cities.
New 16-lane Kani-Kurgan / Heihe checkpoint opens, easing Russia–China road traffic
A fully upgraded 16-lane Kani-Kurgan / Heihe road checkpoint opened on 24 June, doubling freight capacity on the northern Russia–China corridor and cutting truck inspection times to 10 minutes. The expansion promises faster delivery for manufacturing supply chains and is a key plank in the two countries’ smart-border cooperation plan.