China Southern Airlines announced that it would begin operating a flight from Beijing to Dubai and then on to Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, from December 30, sources said on Sunday.

The new A330 will fly along this route three times a week. The flight time is 16 hours.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and biggest oil producer, producing more than 100 million tons annually. Nigeria is now China's second biggest trading partner in Africa behind South Africa.

This is the first route connecting China to Central Africa.

By People's Daily Online