2nd LD-Writethru-Xinhua Insight: China conducts successful test flights at newly-built airfield in South China Sea

China has conducted two test flights landing on and taking off from its southernmost airport, newly built on a reef in the South China Sea that it is developing for humanitarian purposes including emergency landings and maritime rescues.

An Airbus 319 aircraft operated by China Southern Airlines landed on Yongshu Jiao at 10:21 a.m on Wednesday, nearly two hours after departing from Haikou, capital of Hainan Province, 1,400 km away.

A Boeing 737 operated by Hainan Airlines arrived 25 minutes later. The two aircraft flew back to Haikou on Wednesday afternoon.

The Yongshu Jiao reef has been in use since 1988 as a meteorological observation station as requested by UNESCO. Located in one of the world's busiest areas for air and sea travel, Yongshu Jiao is being developed to provide medical and other emergency services. Inhabitants of the island and the area will be able to take flights from the new airport and benefit from its freight services.

It takes more than two days to reach Yongshu Jiao by boat from the nearest major port, Hainan's Sanya.

"The airport is stunning with an excellent runway," said Hu Yueqiu, captain of the Airbus 319.

"Most of China's flights to Southeast Asia pass this area and we now have a supporting point," said Hu.

The airport meets all the requirements for civil aviation and can accommodate large and medium-sized aircraft, said Yang Honghai, deputy head of the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration's aviation standards department.

"The airport will serve as an aviation hub in the Nansha Islands and will offer convenience for goods and personnel transportation and emergency medical care in Yongshu Jiao and adjacent areas," said Yang, who monitored the test flights at the airport.

Xiao Jie, Party secretary of Sansha City, which administers the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and their surrounding waters, said the airport's inauguration was "tremendous progress for local infrastructure development."

Government institutions including fishing administration, maritime affairs, rescue, scientific research, environmental protection and garbage disposal will be established on Yongshu Jiao, according to Xiao.

He said the government will also try to attract tourists to the reef, "which boasts scenery as good as the Maldives."

"I hope regular flights will come soon," said Jiang Ping, who worked on the construction of the airport.

INT'L OBLIGATIONS

Yongshu Jiao's observation station sends updated data on tides every five minutes to the World Meteorological Organization. It provides reliable information for weather forecasts and research.

Forecasts based on data from the station have helped guarantee the safety of passing ships and avoid major shipwrecks in the region for 27 years, said Xu Libing, head of the station.

When Xu first arrived on the reef in 1997, it had no public communication facilities. Letters had to be sent on a supply ship which came every three months. Now 4G service and satellite TV are available, connecting the isolated reef with the outside world.

A number of facilities for civil use are also being built on the reef.

The main body of a lighthouse has been completed and it is expected to be in use soon, helping ships within 22 nautical miles avoid danger, said You Jin, in charge of building the lighthouse.

A hospital is also under construction, said You.

"Injured and critically ill fishermen, whether Chinese or foreign, will be able to have operations here instead of enduring a long journey to the port city," he said. Endi