The first ever direct flight between China and Scotland has touched down.

Hainan Airlines will fly between Edinburgh and Beijing via Dublin twice a week from June 12.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said the city is the second most popular UK destination for Chinese tourists after London.

"This is an incredibly exciting day for the airport, for the city and for the country," he said.

"Tourism is one of our biggest economic drivers and still has masses of potential to unleash."

Economy secretary Keith Brown added: "This new air link between Scotland and China is excellent news, helping to strengthen relations between our two countries and build on the cultural and economic links that we already share."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently visited China with the aim of boosting Scottish exports to the rapidly-growing eastern economy.