On the inaugural flight day, Xiamen Airlines holds a simple yet fun event at the boarding gate. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

At precisely 10:49 am local time on Dec 15, Xiamen Airlines flight MF8721 landed smoothly at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, capital of Laos, marking the official opening of the Beijing Daxing to Vientiane route operated by the airline.

The service departs Beijing Daxing Airport at 7:45 am Beijing time, landing at Wattay Airport in Vientiane at 11:10 am local time with flight number MF8721.

The return flight MF8722 departs Vientiane at 12:10 pm local time and arrives in Beijing at 4:55 pm Beijing time. Operating daily, this is the only daily flight connecting northern China to Laos.

Vientiane, the largest city of Laos, boasts a recorded history of over 1,400 years and a rich cultural heritage.

It is renowned for its abundant tourist attractions such as the popular Wat Si Muang, the Wat Si Saket, and Pha That Luang.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Laos, as well as the beginning of the implementation of a new action plan on building the Laos-China community with a shared future.

As the first Laos route launched by Xiamen Airlines and the second international route from Beijing Daxing Airport, the opening of the Beijing Daxing to Vientiane route is widely seen as being a significant step in response to the Belt and Road Initiative.

It aims to effectively promote exchanges between Chinese and Laotian people and to boost tourism and economic ties.