Direct flight links China with Middle East

Emirates launched its first direct flight between Dubai and northwestern China's Yinchuan on Tuesday.

The flight between Dubai and Yinchuan, the provincial capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is scheduled for every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

After landing at Yinchuan Hedong Airport, the flight will continue further east to Zhengzhou, provincial capital of central China's Henan Province, before returning.

The direct flight to Yinchuan is Emirates' fourth between Dubai and a Chinese city, following routes to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Yinchuan hosts the China Arab States Expo, a biannual trade fair between China and Arab countries.

Provincial capitals in China's west have been adding more direct flights with major cities in central and west Asia, the Middle East and Europe as China seeks to strengthen economic ties with countries in the region through its Belt and Road Initiative.