Urumqi: A new air route linking Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, via the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, has been launched. The maiden flight departed from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport on Monday morning, marking the first regular passenger service from Xinjiang to Kuala Lumpur.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the new route reduces the one-way travel time from Urumqi to Kuala Lumpur to eight hours. This development offers passengers a more convenient and efficient travel option and is expected to enhance cultural exchanges and economic ties between China and Malaysia.

Currently, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport operates international passenger routes to 23 regions in 20 countries, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Xinjiang's tourism sector saw significant growth last year, with revenue jumping by 21 percent to over 359 billion yuan (approximately 50.05 billion U.S. dollars) and more than 300 million tourist visits.

Since November 2023, China has been adjusting its visa-free transit policy to increase openness and facilitate people-to-people exchanges. Last year, more than 20.1 million foreign visitors entered China under the visa exemption policy, representing a year-on-year increase of 113.5 percent in eligible transit visa-exemption travelers.