BEIJING - Hainan Airlines announced on Wednesday it will launch China's first direct flight to Israel on Thursday.

The Beijing-Tel Aviv route will operate three times a week -- on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday -- using Airbus A330 jets.

There has been a long history of friendly exchanges and economic cooperation between the people of Israel and China, and these have grown since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, said Xin Di, chair of Hainan Airlines.

Xin expects the direct flight linking Beijing and Tel Aviv will foster deeper cooperation between the two countries in trade, science and technology and tourism.