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MINSK, 26 July (BelTA) - Minsk and Shanghai will look into the feasibility of launching a direct flight between the two cities. This is one of the agreements reached during a meeting between Minsk Mayor Andrei Shorets and the delegation of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area in Minsk on 26 July, BelTA has learned.

Chen Xi, Deputy Chairman of the People's Government of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, the Deputy Director of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Administration, noted there is a mutual interest in developing cooperation in economy, tourism, education, and culture. There are already some examples: several Shanghai companies have joined the Great Stone industrial park. In addition, there is interest on the part of the airlines to establish direct flights to Minsk. “Then our relationship will become even stronger. More Chinese tourists will be able to visit Belarus and we hope to see more Belarusians visit Shanghai,” he said.

Chen Xi promised Andrei Shorets to promote the direct air service project. The move will contribute to economic cooperation as Shanghai companies are ready to expand their presence in the Great Stone park.

“If the direct flight Minsk-Shanghai is launched, this will mark great headway in our bilateral relations, especially in tourism. We have everything necessary for it: tourist routes and infrastructure. With the project gets through, we will have a chance to see many more Chinese tourists in Belarus,” Andrei Shorets said.

According to him, the direct flight will significantly expand travel opportunities and Chinese citizens will be able to visit the countries bordering on Belarus. Moreover, Belarus will be able to welcome more guests to the 2nd European Games and other important events that the country will host in the coming years.