SHENZHEN - China Southern Airlines announced on Friday it will open an air route linking the southern boom town of Shenzhen with Port Louis, capital of Mauritius.

It will be the city's first air route to Africa.

Flight CZ6659 via Airbus 333 is scheduled to depart every Friday from Shenzhen at 11 pm and arrive at Port Louis at 4:30 am local time.

The flight takes 9.5-hours.

Mauritius received 19,000 Chinese tourists in 2012 and is expected to receive 90,000 Chinese tourists this year as visa exemptions for Chinese citizens took effect on October 31, 2013.

More than 30 Chinese companies, including telecommunications giants Huawei and ZTE, have set up their African headquarters in the island country.

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