SHENZHEN, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A direct flight between south China's Shenzhen city and Johannesburg in South Africa was launched Friday.

The first flight CA867 of Air China left Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport at 0:10 a.m. Beijing Time Friday and is scheduled to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 7:55 a.m. local time the same day.

Three round trips are scheduled every week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The air route, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, is the first intercontinental airline launched by the Shenzhen airport this year and also the only direct flight linking Shenzhen to Africa.

So far, the airport has launched intercontinental air routes linking 19 overseas cities.

China has been South Africa's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. The direct flight is expected to facilitate exchanges between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and South Africa, and exchanges between China and Africa, sources with the Shenzhen airport said.