China's flag carrier Air China welcomed a major flight between Sydney and Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Saturday.[Photo/Xinhua]

An Airbus 330-200 plane flying Sydney's first direct route from China's fourth-largest international airport touched down at Sydney Airport, marking the start of a service running three times a week that is expected to bring 23,000 Chinese visitors and 89 million Autralian dollars of their expenditure to the New South Wales (NSW) economy.

"Chengdu, the land of abundance and capital of Sichuan province, is a city proud of its natural endowment, historical heritage, cultural diversity and hardworking people. The city and its surrounding area are leading other cities in China's west in economic development and have been working to build and strengthen their ties with Australia," Consul General of the Consulate-General of China in Sydney Gu Xiaojie said at an event in Sydney Airport welcoming the new route.

"Air China's direct flights will help to strengthen Chengdu and Sichuan's cooperation with the most dynamic and prosperous city in New South Wales, hence creating new opportunities for the Chinese and Australian people to deepen mutual understanding, friendship and economic cooperation.