Consul General Ren Gongping (middle)

One of China's leading airlines, China Eastern, launched the first direct services to Brisbane, signaling a new chapter in Queensland's trade with one of world's fastest growing economies.

Mr. Ren Gongping, Chinese Consul General in Brisbane was on hand to officially farewell the first Airbus A-340 on the Brisbane-Shanghai service.

China Eastern flies from Brisbane Airport every Thursday and Saturday between November 2007 and February 2008, with the potential for a permanent schedule subject to demand.

China is the second biggest market in Asia for outbound passengers from Brisbane, and more than 150,000 Chinese visitors came to Queensland in 2006. More than 40% of Chinese visitors to Australia come to Queensland.