Hainan is spreading its wings! 🛫 The tropical island province just launched three new international flight routes from Sanya, connecting it to Minsk (Belarus), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Ulan-Ude (Russia), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). This expansion turbocharges China’s global connectivity, especially with Belt and Road Initiative partners.
Why It Matters
The Sanya-Minsk route is a first-ever link to Belarus, with its debut flight nearly full (98% occupancy! 🎉). Meanwhile, the Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude route unlocks trilateral tourism and logistics between China, Mongolia, and Russia. And the Sanya-Kuala Lumpur route? It’s a game-changer for ASEAN ties, thanks to the China-Malaysia visa-free policy. 🇨🇳🤝🇲🇾
Tourism Takes Flight
‘This is a special day for Malaysian travelers,’ said Liu Weikang of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association. ‘No more layovers in Haikou—Sanya’s beaches are just a direct flight away!’ 🏖️
Hainan’s been hustling to promote its tropical charm across Southeast Asia and Europe, paving the way for these routes. Now, Sanya boasts 38 international routes to 29 global hotspots. Talk about wanderlust goals! 🌴
