HAIKOU /China/, December 19. TASS/. The Phoenix International Airport in the resort city of Sanya has launched flights on the first direct route between the southern Chinese province of Hainan and Uzbekistan, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Uzbekistan Airways operates flights from Sanya to Tashkent twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the agency said. In addition, Uzbekistan's EastWing will add a regular flight on Thursdays.

This is expected to give a good impetus to the development of tourism communication and strengthening of relations between China and Uzbekistan. According to Huang Xing, head of Sanya Culture and Tourism Bureau, the new route will expand the economic ties of Hainan Free Trade Port.

Phoenix operates 28 international passenger routes, according to official data. They allow the Chinese resort to strengthen its status as an international tourism center. The visa-free regime, which allows foreign travelers from 54 countries, including Russia, to stay in China for up to 10 days without having to obtain permission to enter, is expected to play an important role.

Sanya is China's leading resort city, home to more than 1 million people. In 2023, its gross product reached 97.13 billion yuan (about $13.66 billion), an increase of 12%. Its average annual temperature reaches 25.4 degrees Celsius, and its coastline is over 260 kilometers long. There are 19 bays and about 40 islands suitable for tourism in the surrounding waters, all of which allow the local government to successfully develop yachting, beach and family vacations.