Published on
October 19, 2025
China unites with Belarus, Mongolia, Russia, and Malaysia as Sanya expands its international flight network with new routes to Minsk, Ulaanbaatar, Ulan-Ude, and Kuala Lumpur, significantly boosting global connectivity and strengthening ties with key Belt and Road Initiative partner countries. These new direct flights, launched between October 8 and 11, 2025, not only enhance travel convenience but also foster deeper economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between Hainan and these nations. By connecting Sanya with major cities in Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, this expansion further solidifies the city’s growing role as a pivotal aviation and tourism hub in China.
Between October 8 and 11, 2025, Sanya, located in Hainan Province, southern China, marked a significant expansion in its international connectivity by opening four new flight routes. These new routes, which link Sanya with Minsk (Belarus), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Ulan-Ude (Russia), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), reflect China’s ongoing commitment to enhancing global connectivity, particularly with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. The newly established air links are not only boosting Sanya’s international profile but also strengthening the province’s role as a key aviation hub in the region.
Sanya-Minsk: A Groundbreaking Connection
One of the standout developments was the introduction of the Sanya-Minsk route, which marks the first-ever direct flight connection between Sanya and Belarus. The inaugural flight on this route achieved an impressive 98% passenger occupancy rate, underscoring strong demand for direct air travel between the two cities. This new route is expected to enhance the tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Hainan and Belarus, further cementing China’s growing relationships with countries across Europe and Eurasia. With Belarus positioning itself as an important player in the Belt and Road Initiative, this air link will undoubtedly facilitate deeper economic cooperation between the two regions.
This new flight path is also a strategic addition to the region’s efforts to diversify and expand international travel opportunities. Sanya, already a popular destination for tourists, is now able to attract more visitors from Eastern Europe, expanding its reach into previously untapped markets.
Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude: Strengthening Regional Ties
Another noteworthy new route is the Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude service, a unique addition to Sanya’s flight network. This route, which falls under the fifth freedom of the air, allows passengers to travel between three key destinations: Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar, China’s Sanya, and Russia’s Ulan-Ude. This is Sanya’s third route operating under this provision, joining the Phnom Penh-Sanya-Singapore and Frankfurt-Bangkok-Sanya routes.
The Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude route not only improves passenger flow but also bolsters logistics cooperation between China, Mongolia, and Russia. This flight will enable easier exchange of goods, tourism traffic, and business activities, fostering regional economic growth. The route, with its strategic positioning, is set to become a key enabler of Sino-Russian and Sino-Mongolian trade, leveraging Sanya’s growing reputation as an international transit hub.
The fifth freedom of the air has long been seen as a valuable mechanism to facilitate smoother connectivity and foster collaboration between neighboring countries. For Sanya, this route highlights its ambition to integrate more deeply with regional and international air travel networks, enhancing its position as a strategic gateway in the heart of Asia.
Sanya-Kuala Lumpur: Connecting to ASEAN
The new Sanya-Kuala Lumpur route marks another important milestone for the city’s international air network. Linking Sanya to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, the route provides direct access to the heart of Southeast Asia. This connection enhances Sanya’s role as a major aviation gateway to ASEAN countries, further strengthening its position within the broader ASEAN-China travel framework.
The direct flight service comes at a time when the two countries have established a mutual visa-free policy, offering Malaysian tourists the convenience of flying directly into Sanya without any layovers in Haikou. This simplified travel process is expected to boost tourism, making Sanya an even more attractive destination for Malaysian travelers, particularly those seeking a tropical getaway in southern China.
For the Malaysian tourism sector, this new air link is seen as a major opportunity to bring more tourists to Hainan. Liu Weikang, President of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, hailed the new connection as a game-changer, emphasizing that the direct flights would streamline travel and make it easier for Malaysian tourists to experience the natural beauty and cultural attractions of Sanya without unnecessary stopovers.
Boosting Hainan’s International Appeal
Hainan has long been a significant player in China’s tourism landscape, attracting travelers from across Asia and beyond. However, its status as an international tourism hub is being further enhanced with these recent flight route launches. These air connections are part of a broader initiative by Hainan to diversify its tourist market and integrate more closely with the global travel community.
In recent years, Sanya has hosted several tourism promotion events across Southeast Asia, Russia, Belarus, and other regions, contributing to a stronger international presence. The expansion of international flight routes is the natural next step in this effort, offering direct connections to more overseas destinations and facilitating greater visitor influx.
Since the opening of its first international routes, Sanya has steadily expanded its network. With these latest additions, the city now boasts a total of 38 international routes, covering 29 overseas destinations. This extensive network positions Sanya as an emerging aviation and tourism hub in China’s broader international connectivity strategy, contributing to the growth of Hainan’s economy and enhancing its appeal to global travelers.
The opening of new international routes to Minsk, Ulaanbaatar, Ulan-Ude, and Kuala Lumpur is a clear indication of Sanya’s ambitions to become a premier international travel destination. By improving connectivity with key BRI partner countries, Sanya is poised to benefit from increased tourism, trade, and regional cooperation. These routes not only broaden the city’s global connectivity but also serve as a testament to Hainan’s growing stature as a key aviation gateway in Asia.
China unites with Belarus, Mongolia, Russia, and Malaysia as Sanya expands its international flight network with new routes to Minsk, Ulaanbaatar, Ulan-Ude, and Kuala Lumpur, enhancing global connectivity and deepening ties with key Belt and Road Initiative partner countries. These new air links bolster tourism, trade, and regional cooperation, solidifying Sanya’s position as a strategic aviation hub.
As Sanya continues to expand its international flight network and strengthen its role in global tourism, the future looks increasingly bright for the island province, with even greater opportunities for economic growth, cultural exchange, and international collaboration on the horizon.
