CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- On 17th September, the Chongqing Geographic Information Centre along with the Chongqing Geographic Map Bookstore issued the 'Chongqing Airport History Map', marking the eight major airports in the city's history.

According to the head of the Chongqing Geographic Map Bookstore, the history of Chongqing aviation can be traced back to the early 20th century.

In 1929, Liu Xiang, commander of the 21st National Revolutionary Army, sent troops to build Guangyangba Airport, the earliest recorded airport in Chongqing.

Chongqing civil aviation started from 1931, when the China National Aviation Corporation set up a Chongqing branch in the August, responsible for the opening of flights between Hankou and Chongqing. On 21st October, the flight connecting Hankou and Chongqing was officially established. In the winter of 1993, the China National Aviation Corporation constructed Shanhuba Airport, the first land airport built by the domestic civil aviation.

Before liberation, to meet military and aviation development needs, the Nationalist Government constructed and expanded five civil airports, including Guangyangba, Shanhuba, Baishiyi, Dazhongba, and Jiulongpo, Beibei Gliding Airport, Xiba temporary airport and two seadromes of Qiansimen and Shanhuba in today’s main urban areas. According to historical records, there were more than 40 airports of various kinds including seadromes, temporary airports and gliding airports. Although most of these airports faded into history early on, the Baishiyi Airport remained as a major civil airport in Chongqing till 1991, following the construction of the present day Jiangbei International Airport. (Translated by Li Jiali, Fathom Language Limited)