The first charter flight from Hong Kong arrived at Urumchi International Airport Saturday evening as a result of cooperation between the two cities' tourism administrations.

The new direct flight will benefit thousands of tourists from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Previously the travelers who want to go to the northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region had to change planes in Shenzhen or Guangzhou of south China's Guangdong Province.

The charter flight is to be available until October 6. A Boeing 757 airliner from Xinjiang Airlines Co., will fly to both cities each Saturday.

Experts believe the direct link will bring more travelers and business opportunities to the remote but magnificent area.

(People's Daily 06/25/2001)