The first overseas passenger flight departed from the Darling Downs on Sunday morning, carrying about 200 passengers on a mission to strengthen business relations with China.

About 11am the specially-painted Qantas A330 aircraft took off from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba with local business people hoping to establish strong connections with China.

The first international passenger flight takes off from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. Credit:Andrew Coates (Supplied)

The flight to China was part of the AccessChina'16 conference, a five-day program aimed at creating more agricultural opportunities in Asia.

Wellcamp Airport spokeswoman Karen McKinley said the direct flight to Shanghai represented incredible opportunities for the Darling Downs region.