A new terminal at the Da Nang Airport is launched for hosting 12 million tourists each year. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

China Southern Airlines has officially launched a direct flight connecting Beihai and Zhengzhou cities in China and the central city of Da Nang.

The routes, with three flights each week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, will be served by Boeing B737-800M aircraft, the Da Nang Culture, Sport and Tourism Department said.

The direct flights aim to boost tourism, trading and investment links between China and Da Nang.

Two third of the 24 direct international flights that operate in Da Nang are from China.

According to latest report from the department, Da Nang has hosted 5.1 million tourists so far this year, 1.76 million of them foreigners.

More than 280,000 Chinese tourists visited the city in the first half this year, mostly from Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing, as well as Kunming, Shenyang and Dalian,

Chinese tourists rank first among the number of foreign visitors to Da Nang, with 443,000 visiting the city last year, accouting for 22 per cent of total foreign tourists in the city.

Last month, China inaugurated its Consulate General’s office in Da Nang. Investment and trade links between Da Nang and Chinese businesses and agencies have developed strongly over the last few years. — VNS