China Southern Airlines and Air France signed an agreement Wednesday to open direct flights between Guangzhou and Paris on Jan. 6 next year.

The two companies also plan to share the flight code for Airbus A340 planes. Both sides said the pact was backed by the Chinese and French governments.

Officials with Air France said at the signing ceremony that the contract is only a starting point, and more cooperation can be expected in future. They also consider China to be a very attractive market.

Li Kun, deputy general manager of China Southern Airlines, said that his company will try to optimize its resources and form a solid groundwork for future cooperation with Air France.

Passengers from Guangdong will be able to board the flight at noon, and arrive at Paris around 17:25 local time.

Under the agreement, there will be one flight a day from Monday to Friday from Jan. 6 to June 13. From June 14, flights will be available every day.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2003)