China National Radio recently published a series of photos on its website unveiling the inside of the aircraft that carried Chinese President Xi Jinping during his overseas visits.

In contrast to the US Air Force One that is owned and ran by the US military, the Boeing 747-400 craft is used for commercial airlines in normal times. With a tail code B-2472, it was bought in 2002 and has been operated and maintained by Air China.

Every time before Xi's visit, the plane would undergo a moderate modification, which always began 20 days before the takeoff and was overhauled by China's Air Force.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan get off "Air Fore One" in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on March 24, 2013. [Photo: gmw.cn]

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