The opening of more direct flights between China and the Middle East is expected to provide a major boost to the Chinese Government's Belt and Road Initiative.

This development made the landing of the first-ever Emirates flight in the Yinchuan province a highly-anticipated event, as a group of local dancers clad in traditional clothing gave the plane's passengers a warm reception upon their arrival.

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Yinchuan is the capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, and is home to one of China's largest Muslim communities in the landlocked region.

"Ningxia is joining hands with Emirates Airline to launch China's westernmost logistics center on the Silk Road to develop itself into a strategic highland in the country's westward opening-up and a strategic transit point on the Silk Road Economic Belt," declared Li Jianhua, Ningxia's top official during a ceremony at the airport.

Li noted that China and Middle East countries have great potential for cooperation in the areas of trade, finance, tourism and real estate.

He added that that the plane's maiden flight to the region was the start of a fruitful partnership.

For his part, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of the airline and Emirates Group, pointed out that the new China Middle East direct flight will provide fast and convenient connections to Middle Eastern, African and European destinations via Dubai.

"We are confident that this air link will also help boost the flow of trade and tourism to growing central and western parts of China," he said.

From the Yinchuan Hedong Airport, the Emirates flight will proceed to Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, before returning to Dubai.

Emirateshas already established direct routes to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

New routes in the Middle East, Europe and Africa have also been scheduled to provide Chinese travelers greater access to more international destinations, via Dubai.

The new China Middle East flight will help Ningxia position itself as a gateway from China to the rest of the Arab world.

Tagschina, Middle East, Direct Flights, Belt and Road Initiative