ABSTRACT
In October 20th 1929, the first step towards commercial flying was taken in China. For on that day a trial flight was made with a Douglas Transport machine on the route Shanghai-Hankow, and the five hundred and thirty-seven miles were covered in seven hours. With Canton as a terminus a more local organization, the South-West China Aviation Corporation, has established communication with Europe via Hanoi in connection with Air France. In order to create an effective air arm Chiang Kai-shek has established in his native province of Chekiang, not far from the provincial capital, Hangchow, a military flying school with three aerodromes, workshops, petrol tanks, etc. New presentation planes are constantly being dedicated all over the provinces and sent to the leader of new China. On account of local geographical conditions the aeroplane has come to play a part in the domestic politics of China which is peculiar to that country.
