United Airlines may create a new flight route between Beijing and Washington D.C. from March next year, Mark Schwab, Pacific region Vice-President of the airlines, said on Wednesday, adding the White House approved the move.

A Washington D.C.-Beijing route would not only enhance political ties of the two countries, but stimulate economic, cultural and technological growth, he said.

With the coming of the 2008 Olympic Games and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic ties in 1979, a non-stop service between the two capitals was of great significance, observers said.

The US Department of Transportation plans to start a non-stop service to China in March 2007 will be finalized by the end of this year.

Four American airlines have been competing for the service. Besides the United Airlines, American Airlines plans to link Dallas with Beijing, Northwest Airlines is due to start a Detroit-Shanghai service, while Continental Airlines will open its New York-Beijing route.

Nine non-stop routes already link China and the United States, but travelers between Washington D.C. and Beijing must currently transit via Los Angeles.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)