China Southern Airlines on Wednesday made its maiden flight to Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as it kicked off direct three-times weekly flights from Guangzhou-Nairobi using A330-200 aircraft.

China is one of the key trading partners of Kenya, heavily investing in the East African nation’s infrastructure and energy sectors. “Chinese businesses such as Bank of China, Huawei, and Qingjian International are already operating successfully in Kenya and East African markets and we look forward to strengthening trade relations between our countries, supported by of direct flights and the ease of movement they bring,” said Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Phyllis Kandie.