BEIJING - China's first direct flight from Beijing to Minsk, Belarus, will be launched on May 1, Air China said on Wednesday.

The Chinese flag carrier will fly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to Budapest, Hungary, via Minsk. The return flight will be direct from Budapest.

The flight is in line with China's Belt and Road Initiative, the company said.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road are international trade and infrastructure projects proposed by President Xi Jinping when he visited Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September and October of 2013.

The Belt and Road routes run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end and developed European economic circle at the other.