On the afternoon of December 4th local time, China Eastern Airlines flight MU745 arrived at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, marking the opening of the first direct flight route between China and Argentina. As of December 11th, the direct flight route has transported over 1000 passengers in its first week of operation. The MU745 flight took off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, stopped in Auckland, New Zealand for 2 hours and 25 minutes, and finally arrived in Buenos Aires. It took nearly 26 hours and covered a total distance of over 20000 kilometers, breaking the world record for the longest one-way route. At present, the route plans to operate two round-trip flights per week, departing from Shanghai on Mondays and Thursdays and returning from Buenos Aires on Tuesdays and Fridays. First flight passenger Cai Qixiong told reporters, "It's my first time coming to Argentina and I feel very honored to experience the first flight of this world record route." It is reported that China Eastern Airlines has applied for the fifth freedom route, and the flight can carry goods in Auckland and Buenos Aires, further improving the trade circulation level among China, New Zealand, and Argentina. The first return flight will transport over 2 tons of Argentine cherries and over 10 tons of fresh Chilean salmon to China. Sabastian Guarino, General Manager of Essesa International Airport, said, "This new route will significantly promote personnel, commercial, and cultural exchanges between regions, becoming a new advantage for Essesa Airport. We warmly welcome Chinese passengers and wish Argentine passengers all the best in Asia." The Shanghai Auckland Buenos Aires route spans the eastern and western hemispheres as well as the northern and southern hemispheres, and is the world's first commercial route connecting antipodal cities. Auckland Mayor Brown said that this route enhances the resilience of the global supply chain, connecting New Zealand with China and Argentina, and "we are very optimistic about the development potential of the route". China Eastern Airlines General Manager Gao Fei said, "The Shanghai Auckland Buenos Aires route of China Eastern Airlines responds to the growing economic and trade needs between China and Latin American countries, connecting the air corridors of Northeast Asia, Oceania, and South America more closely." Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Wang Wei said that the opening of the new route means a connection of friendship and people to people connectivity among China, Argentina, and New Zealand. (New Society)