The Big Picture: Xiamen Airlines takes off with Xi's help

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When Xiamen Airlines first started flying passengers over 30 years ago, it had just a few flight routes. Today the airline has over 100 domestic and international locations. The beginning of this transformation came with the help of then Governor of Fujian Province, Xi Jinping.

Chinese President Xi Jinping says Xiamen Airlines’ development came from its reforms, input, service, and people-oriented approach. His encouragement made the company determined to stick to its own development path for stable growth. CGTN correspondents interviewed its crew who provided unknown stories about China’s top leader.

Song Chengren, former deputy general manager of Xiamen Airlines, takes CGTN interviews. /CGTN Photo

“Wherever there's an airport and airline, there will be prosperity. General Secretary Xi Jinping is very clear about it,” recalled Song Chengren, former deputy general manager of Xiamen Airlines.

Song has over 40 years of flying experience. He recalled that Xiamen Airlines had only a few flights when it was started. It witnessed a great development when Xi Jinping was in charge. He said Xi Jinping was good at finding foreign economic and scientific highlights, and he pushed the airlines to catch up and overtake them.

Xi Jinping (C) and Song Chenren (L)./from Song Chengren's photo album.

Old picture of Song Chenren./from Song Chengren's photo album

"He encouraged us to open more routes across the country, and even abroad. We were the first company to train college students to become pilots in China. Xi Jinping visited our students in New Zealand to show his support for this approach. He's a down-to-earth man," said Song Chengren.

Fan Hong, deputy director of the Training Department of Xiamen Airlines. /CGTN Photo

Fan Hong, deputy director of the Training Department of Xiamen Airlines, says that the time when they provided service to Xi Jinping was sweet and memorable.

"Every time he took the flight, he always talked to the pilots and crew. For example, he would ask 'How long have you been flying?' 'How many hours do you fly every day?' and 'How much is the monthly salary?' He also encouraged us to work hard, telling us that Xiamen Airlines is a good company," said Fan Hong.

Old picture of Fan Hong. / from Fan Hong's photo album

Xi Jinping with the crew of Xiamen Airlines. /Xiamen Airlines Photo

Xiamen was one of China’s four special economic zones when Xi Jinping worked as vice mayor in 1985. He took charge of drafting a development plan for the city from 1985 to 2000 and lobbied for preferential policies from the central government, both of which benefited the city long after he left the province. His 17 years of experience in the province has help shaped his thoughts on governance, which is now transforming China.

Xiamen Airlines today./CGTN Photo