OPINION: AS WE welcome the first direct flight from China today and gear up for increased investment from the world's largest population, our links with the Chinese span more than 150 years.

China and Cairns share a close relationship developed over many years, based on multicultural collaboration and enduring friendship.

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High hopes for trial of Chinese flights to Cairns

Cairns would not be the vibrant community that it is today without the cultural and commercial contribution of the Chinese community, resulting from the Palmer River gold rush in the 1870s.

In 1886, Chinese migrants made up nearly a third of the population of Cairns.

While time has passed, Cairns remains an Asian-inspired region with Mandarin being one of the most spoken languages and the cultures are embraced through a particularly prominent Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc (CADCAI), a Chinese New Year committee and an enduring relationship with two sister cities.

Today China's dynamic growth presents exciting opportunities for both Cairns and China.

Fostering some of the world's most innovative people and as world leaders within the tropical zone, Cairns has so much to offer and looks forward to creating a new future with China.

All those involved with the direct flights and the ongoing business and investment opportunities today will show a warm welcome to a new era in Cairns-China relations. It is with the comfort of an enduring relationship and the confidence of a stable economy, based on a history of success in servicing foreign investment, Cairns is now putting investment opportunities before the Chinese business world.

With more than 150 years of fruitful investment and cultural collaboration between China and Cairns, the Far North can now look forward to another 150 years with confidence and to the enduring close relationships.

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