BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China has built an international air route network with 844 routes, connecting 167 cities in 61 countries, according to China's civil aviation authorities on Monday.

Alongside China's reform and opening up, its international air transportation has made significant progress with expanded shipping points and air route networks, said the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

To date, China has signed inter-governmental civil air transport agreements or established civil aviation connections with 125 countries and regions. The figure was just 34 in 1978.

Civil aviation also contributes to connecting with Belt and Road countries. In the 2018 summer season, 29 Chinese airlines offered regular round-trip services in 47 Chinese cities and 81 cities in Belt and Road countries. Weekly flight numbers reached 2,849.

In the same period, 90 airlines in 37 Belt and Road countries offered air services linking 84 foreign cities and 52 Chinese cities, with weekly flights exceeding 2,346.