Flight links Northwest China, Austria

The first direct flight connecting Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, and Vienna, Austria, took off on Monday, marking the inauguration of the first direct air service from Northwest China to Austria. An Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, operating as China Eastern Airlines flight MU5063, departed from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport at 1:52 am local time. This route will be operated three times per week. With this addition, China Eastern Airlines now operates 16 international routes from the airport, connecting the city to 14 destinations worldwide.

Loan prime rates remain unchanged

China's one-year loan prime rate, a market-based benchmark lending rate, came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center. LPRs reflect the level of financing costs for households and businesses. Lower rates will ease the burden on borrowers, leading to higher levels of investment and consumption.

Xinhua - China Daily