A new air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and China's largest commercial center Shanghai will open in July this year.

The air route, the first between the two cities, will be operated by Shanghai Airlines.

There will be two Boeing 737 flights on the route every week.

According to local transportation officials, operation of the route will promote economic exchanges as well as business and tourism between China and Vietnam.

( eastday.com MArch 25, 2002)