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The biggest announcement at a Vancouver conference about using e-commerce to bypass the challenges of cross-border trade was not about that subject, but a new direct air link.

Speaking at the inaugural Canada China Trade Conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Tuesday, a senior Chinese official announced the launch this fall of a new direct flight between Vancouver and Zhengzhou, a city Beijing is trying to mould into a trade hub.

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“According to our airport officials, before the end of this year, a direct route from Zhengzhou to Vancouver will be established,” said Zhang Yanming, the administrative committee chief of Zhengzhou’s new airport-economic zone, in a video message at the conference. “When that happens, it will be even easier for everyone here to do business in Zhengzhou.”

Zhengzhou city representatives did not say which airline will operate the twice a week service that starts on Nov. 11. Earlier this month, Beijing Capital Airlines said it will start flying between Vancouver and Hangzhou on Dec. 30, becoming the sixth Mainland Chinese carrier to enter YVR.