Direct flights linking the capitals of China and Germany have resumed after a decade-long break.

An Airbus A-330 plane landed at Berlin Tegel Airport on Friday afternoon. Two firebrigade wagons sprayed water on the plane to "wash off the dust", a traditional Chinese way to honor a guest who has returned from a long trip. That was the first direct flight between Beijing and Berlin after a ten-year break.

But every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday will see Hainan Airlines taking off from Beijing at 2:30 pm, to arrive in Berlin at 6 pm local time. Return flights take off from Berlin at 8:20 pm, before landing in Beijing at 11:10 am the next morning.

Hainan Airlines is cooperating with Berlin Airlines to expand its service network to more German and European cities. Passengers from Germany can now transfer to 45 Chinese cities via Beijing.

Wang Yingming,President,Hainan Airlines,said,"Berlin Airlines has a well-established network in Germany and Europe. We have signed contracts with Berlin Airlines and we will share our network with them. In addition, Berlin and other German cities have many tourist attractions, which could be a big draw for Chinese tourists. "

Fan Linyuan,Chinese Student in Berlin,said,"I am flying back to my home in southern China. The direct flight makes my return journey much easier, shorter and cheaper. It will save me five to six hours."

Hainan Airlines says it expects the new route to help promote economic and cultural cooperation between Beijing and Berlin.