Direct flights between Boston and China start Friday, the latest in a string of nonstop international flights coming to Logan International Airport.

Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines will offer flights between Boston and Beijing four times a week.

Friday afternoon a welcoming ceremony will be held at Logan to celebrate the launch.

To discuss what the airline means for tourism in Boston, Evan Saunders, the CEO of Attract China joined us with more.

He said that 14 percent of all of the Chinese visiting America in 2012 came to Boston, but only as a layover flight, so there was a demand to get a flight directly to Boston.

He said the flight will be beneficial to Boston’s economy with the tourism boost.

Saunders expects the tourism to generate enough to create about 3,500 jobs in the state.

For up-to-the-minute news and weather, be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.