Heavy monsoon rains in southern China have led to large-scale flooding in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Thousands of people were cut off from the outside world due to the disaster. A Russian Mi-171 helicopter was brought in to deliver aid and evacuate residents.

The aircraft operates as part of Qingdao Helicopter Aviation Company, a long-standing partner of the Russian Helicopters holding company. The helicopter participates in operations to deliver humanitarian cargo and emergency evacuation of people from affected areas.

The Mi-171 is an export version of the famous Mi-8/17 family, which is widely used in various countries around the world for transport, rescue, and special tasks.

Russian helicopters have been used in China for many years to perform socially significant tasks. They participate in search and rescue operations, forest fire fighting, humanitarian and sanitary missions.

According to Nikolai Kolesov, General Director of the Russian Helicopters holding company, the total fleet of Russian helicopters in the PRC exceeds 450 aircraft. Of these, about 390 units – approximately 85% – are heavy helicopters of the Mi-8/17 family.