On April 10, 1980, the Beijing Aviation Food Co. Ltd., the first joint-venture company on the Chinese mainland was approved by the government. It aimed to provide an air-catering service for the flights which would open up between the Chinese mainland and the United States. The total investment was 5.88 million yuan (approximately $3.92 million), of which the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) held a 51 percent share and Maxim's Catering Ltd., Hong Kong's largest food and beverage corporation and restaurant chain, possessed 49 percent. It started business on May 1 the same year.

(Source: Xinhua)