A new air route, linking Xi'an with Tibet region's capital, Lhasa, opened on Thursday with the landing of a Boeing-757 at Konggar airport in Lhasa.

The 1,950-kilometre route is the fifth air link to be operated by Southwest China Airlines.

At a ceremony held in Lhasa, Xiang Yang, vice-chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Government, said that the opening of the new route had provided a new gateway between Tibet and the rest of China. Mr Xiang said: 'I am sure that the new route will help Tibet expand co-operation with areas in northwest China.'