Hainan Province has launched three new international flight routes from Sanya this week, signaling China's latest push to strengthen global connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative. The routes connect the tropical island to Minsk (Belarus), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Ulan-Ude (Russia), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), with analysts predicting significant economic and cultural ripple effects.
Breaking New Ground
The inaugural Sanya-Minsk flight marked the first direct air link between Hainan and Belarus, achieving a 98% occupancy rate. Meanwhile, the Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude route became Sanya's third fifth-freedom flight path, enabling seamless passenger and cargo transfers between Mongolia, China, and Russia.
ASEAN Gateway Strengthened
The new Sanya-Kuala Lumpur route capitalizes on the China-Malaysia visa-free policy, positioning Hainan as a key aviation hub for ASEAN engagement. 'This direct connection eliminates layovers in Haikou, making Sanya more accessible to Malaysian tourists,' said Liu Weikang of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association.
Strategic Expansion
With 38 international routes now serving 29 destinations, Hainan's aviation growth follows targeted tourism promotions across Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. The developments align with China's broader efforts to enhance cross-border infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges through the Belt and Road framework.
