MANILA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese carrier Air China will introduce a new direct flight service connecting Chongqing in southwest China and the Philippine capital city of Manila beginning May 1, operating four times a week, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Friday.

In a statement posted on social media, the embassy said the new service will provide passengers from southwest China with convenient one-stop access to Manila and easy connections to popular Philippine destinations such as Boracay and Cebu.

For Filipino travelers, the route opens a direct gateway to explore Chongqing's unique landscapes and other major tourist destinations in western China, the embassy added.

Beyond tourism, the route is expected to facilitate greater economic cooperation and cultural exchange between western China and the Philippines, the embassy said. ■