Air Canada will launch daily non-stop flights from Montreal to Shanghai this February.
The announcement coincided with a visit by China's Premier Li Keqiang to Montreal.
The flights are being touted as a boon for Montreal's and Quebec's economy.
Sitting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Li Keqiang, Premier Philippe Couillard and Mayor Denis Coderre, the CEO of Air Canada said he hoped increased tourist and business travel would re-establish Montreal on the world stage.
"Once again, Air Canada is proud to demonstrate our leadership in this industry as well as our firm commitment in promoting the Montreal and Quebec economies," said Calin Rovinescu.
Coderre said the daily flights could help attract more head offices to the city.
"It's a boon to businesses looking to establish new head offices," said the mayor.
Shanghai is the world's most densely populated city with more than 24 million people.
It's also a key business hub.
China is also Canada second-largest trading partner and roughly half a million Chinese tourists visit Canada each year.
These new flights come a year after Air Canada and Air China launched three weekly flights between Montreal and Beijing.
Coderre said the air transportation links are a sign that Montreal is is ready to work on trade.
China wants to come to Montreal to set up its businesses. After that we can talk about other projects, about free trade, but it all starts with a solid relationship," said Coderre.
Couillard said having concrete relationships with China is in everyone's interest.
"Open markets create employment, and closed markets kill it," said the premier.
