New direct flight between China, Ireland to be launched

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A senior Irish official said on Wednesday that a new direct flight between Ireland and China will be launched in late February. The flight will connect Dublin to the south China city Shenzhen.

"Improvements in connectivity will be key to achieve our overarching goals for Ireland-China relations," Irish Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Heather Humphreys said at a function held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Ireland as well as the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Cliffs of Moher in Clare, Ireland. /VCG Photo

Since June 2018, there have been two direct flights linking Dublin with Beijing and south China's Hong Kong.

Humphreys said that she was certain that these services will foster growing trade, tourism, education and cultural links between Ireland and China.

According to official figures from Tourism Ireland, a marketing agency that publicizes Ireland overseas, about 90,000 Chinese visitors went to Ireland in 2017, which was up 45 percent over the previous year.

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland. /VCG Photo

The top-three tourist attractions in Ireland are the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher in Clare and Dublin Zoo.

Tourism Ireland aims to attract 175,000 tourists from China by 2025, which would nearly double the figure in 2017.

(Cover: St. Patricks Cathedral interior in Dublin, Ireland. /VCG Photo)

(With inputs from Xinhua)