【编者按】今年是中美建交40周年。岁月无声，光影留痕。7月3日，《跨越太平洋的交流与合作——上海纪念中美建交40周年》图片展在上海市档案馆（外滩馆）正式开幕。300余幅精心甄选的照片，记录了上海与美国各地方的交流合作进程。从这天起，我们挑选部分展出的档案照片，为大家讲述照片背后的故事。让我们一起重温过去，立足现在，展望未来。

1981年1月7日，按照中美两国航空协定，经停上海的中美通航首航班机启程。图为中美双方人员到机场祝贺。

According to the aviation agreement between the two countries, the maiden flight from China to the United States makes a stopover in Shanghai.Picture shows Chinese and U.S. officialscome to the airport to offer their congratulations. (1981)

　　1981年1月7日，按照中美两国航空协定，经停上海的中美通航首航班机启程。

　　According to the aviation agreement between the two countries, the maiden flightfrom China to the United States with a stopover in Shanghai took off on January 7, 1981.

　　当日，民航总局在北京首都国际机场举行记者招待会，介绍两国通航的准备工作并庆祝两国开航。1月8日当地时间10点，飞机降落在旧金山国际机场。旧金山市长范因斯坦到机场迎接，并在欢迎致辞中说道，“美中通航使漫无边际的太平洋变得像一条河。”此次通航标志着中美航空的通航，也标志着我国远航飞行能力达到新的水平。

　　On January 7, 1981, the Civil Aviation Administration of China held a press conference at the Beijing Capital International Airport. It gave a briefingon preparations for the opening of air service between the two countries and celebrated the event. At 10:00 local time, the maiden flight from China touched down at San Francisco International Airport. San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein was at the airport to greet the flight, and she said that the opening of air service between the U.S. and China turns the vast Pacific Ocean into a river. The maiden flight symbolized the launch of air service between the two countries and also indicated that China’s long-distance flight capability reached a new level.

鸣谢：中国民用航空局