Direct flight links western China, Middle East

Clad in traditional clothing and holding the sweet tea that local Hui people serve guests, a group of dancers welcomed a Boeing 777 from the Middle East to Northwestern China on Tuesday.

Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region and home of one of China's largest Muslim communities in the landlocked region, has eagerly awaited the landing of the first-ever Emirates flight.

The Dubai-to-Yinchuan flight is scheduled for every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.