MILAN, Italy - Air China will add three non- stop flights a week from Milan to Beijing, bringing the total number of non-stop flights from Italy to China to 30 a week, it was announced here on Wednesday.

The additional flights will start operating on June 15, said Li Jiang, general director of Air China's Frankfurt-based European head office, at a press conference in Milan.

"Thanks to the first non-stop flight linking Milan to Beijing, Italy will become the second center of attraction for Air China in Europe," Li said.

The Chinese national carrier's goal, he added, is to offer a high-level competitive service on routes that are very important in linking Europe to the rest of the world.

With the new flights from Milan-Malpensa International Airport to Beijing International Airport, scheduled on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, the total number of non-stop flights from Italy to China will reach 30 a week, which proves Air China's interest toward the Italian market, Li said.

Currently there are nearly 400,000 Chinese citizens coming to Italy every year, according to Chinese Consul-general to Milan Liang Hui.

Air China now runs daily flights connecting Rome and Beijing, as well as five flights a week linking Milan to Shanghai.