China Eastern Airlines, in partnership with Auckland Airport and the Latin America New Zealand Business Council, has hosted a promotional event in Auckland to celebrate the launch of its new intercontinental route connecting Shanghai, Auckland, and Buenos Aires.

The event on Tuesday brought together a distinguished group of diplomatic and government representatives, including Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Ambassador of Argentina to New Zealand Maria Belen Bogado, and Vice Consul General of China in Auckland Liu Pengxiang.

The event featured a roundtable forum where participants discussed the strategic significance of the new route for trilateral cooperation in aviation, trade, and cultural exchange.

In his remarks, Han Jiang, deputy general manager of Marketing & Sales Oceania of China Eastern Airlines, stated, "The new route is a historic milestone in China Eastern's journey of global connectivity, and the first direct air link ever between China and South America. It is more than a flight, it's a symbol of cooperation, exchange, and friendship between China and South America, opening new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange."

Liu believed that the opening of the Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires route is a manifestation of the deepening cooperation between China, New Zealand, and Latin American countries.

"The new route will further promote people-to-people exchanges in Northeast Asia, the South Pacific, and South America, expand economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges, and enhance Auckland's position as an international aviation hub," said Liu.

The launch of this route represented a concrete step forward in realizing the "Southern Link" vision, a concept championed by New Zealand's business and academic sectors in 2019 to strengthen connectivity between Asia and Latin America via New Zealand.

The event also showcased vibrant cultural performances from both Chinese and Latin American artists, highlighting the spirit of friendship and mutual appreciation that underpins the new aviation partnership.

The Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires route is expected to launch on Dec. 4, operating twice a week from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland.