Edinburgh is celebrating its new air-link with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies after the first Hainan Airlines (www.hainanairlines.com) flight from Beijing landed last week — the first ever direct flight from China to Scotland.

Two flights a week will now come to Edinburgh, after many years of hard work by Marketing Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport and the City of Edinburgh Council.

The new direct link brings immediate rewards for Scottish businesses; it eliminates the need to stop over in London, and it cuts the duration and cost of business trips to China.

The Hainan air-link is expected to attract a greater number of Chinese students to Scotland as well as investors, who are now more likely to consider Edinburgh as their next business destination.

In addition, Beijing will act as a hub for the whole of South East Asia, opening the door to business opportunities in places like Singapore and Vietnam.