China Southern Airlines opens a new direct flight between Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and Budapest, Hungary, on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He said the new air route will effectively promote economic and trade cooperation, as well as cultural, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between China and Europe.

With the launch of the new Guangzhou-Budapest air route, China Southern is opening 53 international routes starting from Guangzhou, including 11 to Europe. China Southern's international flights from China to Europe will be increased to 19.

The new route marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary.