On 1 November 2023, Chinese Consul-General in Brisbane Dr Ruan Zongze addressed at Brisbane Airport’s media conference, welcoming the first flight of China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai to Brisbane.

    Consul-General Dr Ruan Zongze said, direct flight created an air corridor between Shanghai and Queensland, which will further strengthen the economic and trade exchanges as well as people-to-people exchanges between China and Queensland and boost Brisbane's international recognition. In the meantime, I welcome more Australian friends would visit China. Seeing is believing.

    Queensland Minister of Tourism, Sport and Innovation Stirling Hinchcliffe, Deputy General Manager of China Eastern Airlines Oceania John Han, Brisbane Airport CEO Gert Jan de Graaff also attended the event.