On Feb 4, which in the traditional Chinese calendar was lichun, or the Start of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms of the year, the new TV poetry star surprised the passengers aboard a China Southern Airlines flight from Dalian to Guangzhou with a poetic broadcast.

"At the end of the year, when there's little frost, spring returns. Trees and grass are the first to know when spring comes. The world in front of my eyes is filled with life. The east wind blows and the water ripples," Ma recited through the speaker.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain Ma Baoli speaking. Today is the unveiling of the prologue of spring. The economy of our country is also recovering steadily and vitality and prosperity are everywhere."

Ma's poetic broadcasts and his performances on the poetry show have won him many fans.

On Feb 15, a passenger wrote in his flight log: "Whether or not Captain Ma Baoli is a member of the crew today, please give my best regards to him. The perfect combination of poetry and flying is deeply romantic to the Chinese people."