Air China launched its maiden Beijing-Bucharest-Zagreb flight on Friday (September 4), restoring direct passenger links between China and Romania after more than two decades and inaugurating the first-ever scheduled passenger service between China and Croatia.

Operating three times a week, the new route comes as Central and Eastern Europe — known for the Adriatic coastline, medieval towns and rich cultural heritage — are attracting growing interest from Chinese travelers. Travel has become more convenient than ever following China's unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary citizens of both Romania and Croatia.

For Croatia, where tourism accounts for about one-fifth of GDP, the direct flight is a long-awaited gateway to the world's largest outbound tourism market. For Romania, it restores a connection that has been absent since 2003. And for Chinese travelers, it offers a new, hassle-free entry point to the wider Balkan region.

In November 2024, China expanded its unilateral visa-free policy to include Romania and Croatia, along with seven other countries. Ordinary passport holders from both nations can now stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, business, family visits or transit.