ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has flown to China with former Liberal opposition leader Brendan Smyth, in a bid to woo a major Chinese airline to set up direct flights to Canberra.

Mr Barr and the controversially appointed Mr Smyth are travelling with a political staffer, two Canberra Airport staffers and a public servant from the ACT government's tourism bureau Visit Canberra on the trip, which will cost about $25,000.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr is seeking Chinese flights to Canberra. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

It comes in the wake of Singapore Airlines' decision to cancel direct flights between Canberra and New Zealand last year, despite maintaining Changi-Canberra flights, while Qatar Airways started flights last year between Doha and Canberra.

Opposition Leader Alistair Coe also recently went to China to meet with local government officials.