CHENGDU, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Sichuan Airlines said it will launch a direct flight connecting Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Rome on June 25.

The first regular flight linking the two cities will be operated every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, on Airbus A330. The flight will take about 11 hours.

Italy on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly advance the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. The two countries will co-hold the culture and tourism year in 2020.