(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-18 22:30

Guangzhou -- China Southern Airlines, the country's largest carrier by fleet, has recruited more Republic of Korea (ROK) women as stewardesses in an effort to localize its services to the various countries.

The first group of 22 stewardesses hired from the ROK completed their two-month training on January 11. A second round of recruitment was held recently.

Currently, 46 ROK women have been recruited to serve passengers traveling from China to Japan and ROK.

"All the ROK stewardnesses are aged from 20 to 27 and are at least 169 centimeters in height. All of them have college educations and can speak at least one foreign language," said Cui Dayan, a company official in charge of their training.

The Guangzhou-based carrier made a big name for itself last year with a nationwide TV talent show to recruit qualified stewardesses in China.

The carrier, which was created by the mergers of China Southern, China Northern and Xinjiang Airlines, initially started hiring foreign nationals as cabin crew in 2002.

Its first group of foreign stewards and stewardesses were Japanese. At present, eight Japanese stewardesses serve on domestic flights connecting Guangzhou and other Chinese cities.