China and Uzbekistan are strengthening regional connectivity with the launch of three new direct flight routes, marking fresh momentum for the evolving “Air Silk Road” and broader Belt and Road cooperation.

Operated by Uzbekistan Airways, the new services link Tashkent with Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai, enhancing access between key economic hubs. In Shenzhen, around 200 passengers boarded the inaugural direct flight from the Uzbek capital, many benefiting from China’s visa-free policy.

The expansion comes alongside growing bilateral ties in trade, investment, energy and infrastructure, following the “Uzbekistan Tourism Year in China” campaign in 2025. Meanwhile, the long-standing Beijing–Tashkent route has been shifted to Beijing Daxing International Airport, improving domestic connections and reinforcing Beijing’s role as a transit hub for Central Asia.