On Wednesday, August 29, the city of Guangzhou celebrated the 240th anniversary of the historic voyage of the Empress of China, the first U.S. merchant ship to sail to China.
The commemoration took place in Pazhou, a prominent area within the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou.
The Empress of China embarked on its journey from New York on February 22, 1784, carrying American goods such as ginseng, furs, and cotton.
The ship arrived at the historic port of Huangpu in Pazhou on August 28 of the same year.
This voyage marked the inception of China-US economic and trade relations, establishing a pivotal moment in the history of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
“Pazhou has evolved into a major convention and exhibition center, hosting significant events like the Canton Fair, which attracts hundreds of thousands of international visitors annually, including many from the United States,” said Wang Jun, a board member of Guangzhou Pazhou Hong Kong Macau Passenger Transport Co., Ltd.
Wang highlighted that 66 airlines have now integrated intermodal air-sea transportation services between Hong Kong International Airport and Pazhou Ferry Terminal, with 19 airlines offering direct check-in services at Pazhou.
These services have greatly improved travel convenience for both domestic and international passengers.
Travelers can now fly directly to the United States with airlines such as Cathay Pacific and United Airlines, which offer pre-check-in services at Pazhou Ferry Terminal.
Alternatively, passengers can connect to US destinations through airlines like Emirates, Air France, and Air Canada, Wang added.
READ MORE: Air Canada Launches UCI Service at Pazhou and Zhongshan Ferry Terminals
[Cover image by Billy Jiang/That’s]
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