BEIJING -- The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its commercial debut on Wednesday by taking passengers from Tokyo to Hong Kong, said the aircraft's manufacturer.

The next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft, operated by All Nippon Airways Co (ANA), Japan's largest domestic service airline, will conduct weekly flights between Tokyo and Beijing starting from December this year, according to Boeing and ANA.

With advanced engines and more light composite materials, the aircraft is expected to use 20 percent less fuel than conventional models, which means less carbon dioxide emissions, said Jim McNerney, CEO of the US aviation giant.

According to the aircraft maker, many Chinese manufacturers have taken part in the production of the Boeing 787 and are the sole providers of certain parts, including Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co and Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co Ltd.

So far, Boeing has received more than 820 orders for the new model from airlines worldwide, including China Southern Airlines, the country's largest carrier by fleet size, and Hainan Airlines.