Latest news with #Xi'an-based
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'China-Central Asia Spirit' drives pursuit of harmony, unity, happiness and prosperity: China Daily editorial
BEIJING, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The rich outcomes of both the second China-Central Asia Summit and the series of bilateral meetings between the leaders of China and the five Central Asian countries serve to not only strengthen the momentum of the six countries' economic and trade cooperation, but also keep the whole region on the right track of development in an increasingly volatile world. That the Central Asian countries have been able to maintain their stability and generally sustain their stable development momentum these years despite the complicated external development environment has not been easy. Further sustainable socioeconomic development requires the reliable support of immediate neighbors to further unleash the potential of the Central Asian countries. As the world's second-largest economy that is dedicated to promoting shared development, free trade and win-win cooperation on an equal footing with mutual respect, China is a crucial strategic partner for the five countries. Their shared resolve to work together for the common good of the region has undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for Central Asia's continued development and stability. The collaboration between the two sides has been markedly energized since their first summit in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in 2023, which saw the founding of the China-Central Asia mechanism. The mechanism, which consists of 13 ministerial-level cooperation platforms, with a Xi'an-based secretariat, has played a key role in boosting bilateral trade and cooperation over the past two years during which bilateral trade has surged 35 percent. The series of outcome documents and agreements on exchanges and cooperation inked in the Astana Summit, including a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, show the two sides' joint commitment to working with each other to contribute more to regional and world stability, development and security. President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech at the summit that the two sides' cooperation and exchanges have cultivated the "China-Central Asia Spirit", featuring mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance, propelling common modernization by means of high-quality development. Under the guidance of the "China-Central Asia Spirit", as Xi advocated, the two sides' high-quality cooperation should focus more on unimpeded trade, industrial investment, interconnection, green minerals, agricultural modernization, people-to-people exchanges and improving people's livelihoods. To that end, China is willing to share its development experience and its latest technological achievements with the Central Asian countries, promote digital infrastructure connectivity, strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, and cultivate new quality productive forces. This will help the Central Asian countries foster endogenous impetus for development. That China decided to establish three major cooperation centers for poverty reduction, education exchange, and desertification control, as well as a platform for unimpeded trade cooperation under the China-Central Asia framework shows the country's sincere desire to help its Central Asian partners tackle some systemic challenges that have long hindered their development. The partnership between China and the Central Asian countries is open, inclusive and free of geopolitical calculations. It therefore contributes greatly to the common interests of the whole region and beyond. Central to this partnership is their shared vision of sustainable development and mutual prosperity, where the Belt and Road Initiative serves as a catalyst for increased connectivity, investment, and cooperation across key sectors. By aligning their development strategies with the BRI, the Central Asian countries stand poised to realize their potential, while collectively combating common threats to regional stability, such as terrorism and transnational crime. Under the guidance of the heads-of-state diplomacy, the Astana Summit has drawn up a new blueprint for the future cooperation between the two sides, opening up a broader space for the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and charted a course for deepening their cooperation and relations for the foreseeable future. In an era marked by uncertainty and discord, the partnership between China and Central Asia stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring power of diplomacy, cooperation, and friendship across borders. As Xi said, Chinese culture advocates mutual care and mutual benefit; similarly a Central Asian proverb compares harmony and unity to happiness and wealth. China is ready to work with all relevant parties to carry forward the "China-Central Asia Spirit" and accelerate the building of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future. View original content: SOURCE China Daily Sign in to access your portfolio
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Once flying high, grounded Chinese pilots now deliver food to survive
A regional airline based in western China has suspended all flights amid deepening financial troubles, pushing some of its pilots to take up food delivery and ride-hailing jobs to survive, reported the South China Morning Post. Joy Air, headquartered in Xi'an and backed by the Shaanxi provincial government, abruptly halted all services, including during the busy Labour Day travel period. The airline's website shows no available flights or ticketing options, signaling a full operational shutdown. The Xi'an-based carrier operates a fleet of Chinese-built MA60 turboprop aircraft and mainly serves second- and third-tier cities across western and central China. But growing competition and a shrinking route network have pushed the company to the brink. High-speed rail takes off, flights stall A key factor behind Joy Air's collapse is a lack of profitable routes, according to Jason Li Hanming, a US-based aviation analyst. 'The internal routes within Shaanxi are gradually being replaced by the expanding high-speed railway network, which offers a cheaper, more affordable option,' Li was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post. 'That is constantly impeding Joy Air from building a healthy cash flow and eventually impacts the company negatively,' Li added. Industry observers have long warned that regional carriers in China face a tough environment due to low passenger volumes and higher costs. A February report by the Zhiyanzhan Institute also noted that remote regional airports come with steep infrastructure and maintenance expenses, further eroding airline profitability. 'Policy airline' with no commercial viability Jason Li further stressed that Joy Air's problems run deeper than market forces. Founded in 2008 as a 'policy-driven airline", its primary role was to promote the MA60 aircraft, rather than to function as a commercially viable carrier. 'Joy Air was never meant to be a fully competitive airline,' Li said. 'It has been restricted from operating more common aircraft, and the MA60 – which seats around 60 passengers – doesn't fit most route economics.' He added that the MA60 is primarily designed for export to developing nations and described Joy Air as essentially a 'show home' for the aircraft, with most of its financial resources drained by maintenance and operational costs. Passengers furious over cancelled flights Meanwhile, the airline's sudden shutdown has left passengers stranded and furious. Zoey Li, a 30-year-old finance professional from Changsha, Hunan, said she was shocked to receive a cancellation notice just two days before her family trip. 'There's only one direct flight between Changsha and Beihai,' she said. 'We had no alternatives. I never expected this to happen during the May Day holiday peak.' Li had planned the vacation for a month with her elderly parents, only to be forced into a last-minute scramble that doubled her travel costs. She's filed multiple complaints but hasn't received any response or refund. 'What was supposed to be a convenient journey has become mentally and physically exhausting, especially for my parents,' she said. Pilots turn to gig work Joy Air's troubles have been brewing for years. In November, reports from Chinese media revealed that employees, including pilots, ground crew, and flight attendants, had gone unpaid for extended periods and were taking on gig work to make ends meet. Some pilots now deliver food, drive for Didi Chuxing, or even sell goods on the street. According to another report, Joy Air has faced more than 50 labour disputes, with lawsuits over unpaid wages leading to compensation exceeding 300,000 yuan ($41,260).
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China Joy Air's joyless pilots forced into gig economy amid high debt, labour disputes
A regional airline in western China, entangled in multiple labour disputes and a debt crisis, has suspended all flights – with some pilots forced to make a living by delivering food. Advertisement All trips by Joy Air , including for the Labour Day holiday, have been cancelled, with no ticket sales information available for flights, the Xi'an-based airline website showed. Backed by the Shaanxi provincial government, Joy Air operates a fleet of Chinese-made turboprop-powered MA60 aircraft along domestic routes that connect second- and third-tier cities – particularly in western and central China – and regional hubs like Xi'an. The main issue behind the suspension is a lack of profitable routes, said Jason Li Hanming, a United States-based analyst. 'The internal routes within Shaanxi are gradually being replaced by the extending high speed railway network for a cheaper, more affordable price,' Li said. 'That is constantly impeding Joy Air from building a healthy cash flow and eventually impacts the company negatively.' Advertisement
