China Southern Airline flight CZ312 that landed at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in the early morning on Jan 8, 2023 has become the first international flight to land in the mainland after the country optimized its COVID-19 policies. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINADAILY.COM.CN)

A China Southern Airlines plane landed at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 00:16 am on Sunday after flying for about 15 hours from Toronto, Canada.

The CZ312 that took off Toronto Pearson International Airport on Saturday became the first international flight to land in the mainland after the country optimized its COVID-19 policies and the Civil Aviation Administration of China relaxed restrictions on international flights starting on Sunday, said a statement released by the airline on Sunday.

A photo shows passengers of China Southern Airline flight CZ312 waiting at the baggage claim area at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province, Jan 8, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINADAILY.COM.CN)

And the nearly 300 passengers on board have become the first group of international inbound tourists who do not have to be quarantined upon their arrivals to the mainland in three years, said the statement.

"I'm so happy, as I can return home happily," said a woman passenger surnamed Gong.

"When I learned China has optimized its COVID-19 policies and measures, and inbound passengers no longer have to be put under quarantine upon their arrivals in the mainland, I immediately booked a ticket for home," she said.

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A photo shows passengers of China Southern Airline flight CZ312 checking in at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province, Jan 8, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINADAILY.COM.CN)

Feng Ling, an air hostess, said the Chinese New Year travel rush has now begun and flight attendants of China Southern would work in a better state to provide even better service to passengers and tourists in the weeks to come.

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And China Southern offers "one-stop" service to guide inbound passengers to go through entry procedures upon their arrivals at the airport.