The China Southern Airline made its maiden journey into Papua New Guinea (PNG), at the Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby this morning. The welcome party included a host of dignitaries, including the Minister for Tourism Arts & Culture Isi Henry Leonard, Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko, Moresby North-East MP John Kaupa, and heads and representatives from the National Cultural Commission (NCC), Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), National Capital District Commission (NCDC), National Airports Corporation (NAC), the Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby. They were all treated to a mini side show of sorts, with live painting, amid the beat of the Kundu and traditional song & dance of the Motu Koitabuan Dancers. As the humidity turned into flash rain, the blue, white China Southern Airline Dreamliner 787 descended, receiving the traditional wash-down from the NAC fire trucks. Aboard this inaugural flight was National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt as well as the management and executive team of China Southern Airline. Minister Schnaubelt was the first in line, of a number of speakers, to welcome the airline into the country on behalf of the Marape-Rosso Government. “This will be a weekly flight, to open up the skies and give both China and PNG the opportunity to work together and strengthen the friendship that we have.” “I would also like to encourage the people in PNG, in trade and commerce, to utilize this opportunity as the products that we can produce here in PNG, now have a potential market in China,” Minister Schnaubelt said. He said China has an immense market and it is up to PNG to now capitalize on this opportunity. Minister Schnaubelt rounded off his remarks by thanking all the individuals that were instrumental in finally bringing the airline to touch ground at the Jackson’s International Airport. The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Isi Henry Leonard was also on hand at the inaugural flight ceremony at the Jackson’s International Airport this morning. He explained that, according to the Tourism Promotion Authority’s international travellers report, PNG has continued to see a gradual increase in the number of Chinese travellers into the country, for either work or leisure. “We need to understand the Chinese Market to succeed in trade… understanding the regulations and competition is important for PNG to gain market access to the Chinese Tourism Sector. The Tourism Minister said through collaboration amongst all interested parties, including the government and the private sector, PNG will grow tourism business in the Chinese Market. “Today’s occasion is the step towards entering into the lucrative Chinese Market and I welcome all our visiting friends from China.” “Please enjoy your stay and enjoy all the colors of Papua New Guinea,” Minister Isi pronounced. A jubilant NCD Governor Powes Parkop, who has been spearheading the ‘Amazing Port Moresby’ Brand, of which today’s inaugural flight was part of, joined his colleagues in welcoming the airline to Port Moresby and PNG. He said this morning’s maiden journey was the link to one of the largest industrial and tourism hubs of China. “Today, we had 150 passengers on this inaugural flight and 11 000 tonnes of imports. On the return flight tomorrow, there will be 180 passengers and 3 tonnes of export.” “That is the potential. The challenge now, is for PNGeans to increase business and export to the People’s Republic of China.” Governor Parkop also reiterated the potential of tourism, explaining that 60% of tourists from China, come from Guangdong Province. “This is what our Capital City would like to harness. In Port Moresby, we can’t do Agriculture, Mining, Forestry, Oil and Gas.” “We only have one people. But we have a greater opportunity as here in our Capital City, a thousand tribes convene, thousands of cultures, thousands of traditions, thousands of songs and dance.” “That is what we can bring to this equation.” “The challenge for the future, is for all of us, to seize this opportunity.” He ended of his remarks, with a Chinese Proverb; “A journey of a thousand miles, requires you to make the first step. Today, we are taking the first step.”