Above: China Eastern is China’s second largest airline by capacity.

China Eastern has begun accepting reservations for its new service between Shanghai Pu Dong and Cairns, which is due to start on October 30. The route will be served three times per week by an Airbus A330.

Flight MU371 departs Shanghai at 9 p.m. and arrives in Cairns at 8 a.m. the next day.

Fight MU372 departs Cairns at 10 a.m. and arrives back in Shanghai at 4.20 p.m..

The new route is the latest point in a broad strategy to increase tourist ties between China and Australia. Australia has recently launched its “There’s Nothing Like Australia” marketing campaign in Mandarin and officials have been engaged in bilateral talks to create more seats between the two countries.