CHINA Eastern Airlines is to start a route linking Shanghai to Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from next Thursday to boost economic interaction between the two cities.

The daily return flight between Shanghai and Kashgar, one of China's westernmost cities, will stop over in Urumqi, China Eastern said, and the flying time from Shanghai to Kashgar will be six and a half hours.

The first return flight from Kashgar is expected to bring 20 cataract patients for treatment in Shanghai as well as three tons of fruit, the carrier said.

Kashgar is regarded as one of China's western frontiers. It borders five countries and historically has made major contributions to cultural exchanges between the East and the West.

"The new route will create an air bridge between the two cities and facilitate Shanghai's support for Kashgar," China Eastern said. "It will hopefully bring more tourism and business opportunities to Kashgar."

The central government in May unveiled a massive package to boost development and bring stability in Xinjiang. Under the program, 19 Chinese provinces and cities, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong, are required to extend support to different areas in Xinjiang.

The 19 provinces and cities will be expected to earmark 0.3 to 0.6 percent of their fiscal revenue every year from 2011 to 2020 to support Xinjiang's growth, according to an earlier report by Xinhua news agency.

Shanghai has signed agreements to develop the first batch of 20 projects in Kashgar, which cover sectors including education, health, agriculture and human resources.