In Guangdong province, Qi Qi, an associate professor at Guangzhou Civil Aviation College, said: "I predicted a few months ago that with better control of the epidemic at home and abroad, China will lift the 'circuit breaker' rule to some overseas destinations. These places should have performed well in controlling the coronavirus and be willing to cooperate with China's inbound epidemic prevention policy. We are now moving in this direction."

Zhu Yaochun, deputy chairman of the China Air Transport Association, said at a recent seminar on the industry's recovery, "It is essential to promote an orderly recovery and open domestic and international markets.

"Most countries in North America and Europe have restored their international routes. We need to promote the resumption of international routes in China as soon as possible to boost opening-up and improve connectivity between the Chinese and global economies."