<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-17/China-launches-first-direct-capital-flight-to-Tajikistan-1EhCRmxw0b6/img/9e3623c54e2545eb8f75dab7f4a229c3/9e3623c54e2545eb8f75dab7f4a229c3.png' alt='Capital of Tajikistan: Dushanbe. /China Southern Airlines'

China inaugurated its first direct air link between Beijing and Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe today, significantly enhancing connectivity ahead of a key regional summit and marking a major expansion of China’s aviation network across Central Asia. The inaugural flight, carrying 173 passengers, departed Beijing Daxing International Airport at 12:00 p.m. local time.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-17/China-launches-first-direct-capital-flight-to-Tajikistan-1EhCRmxw0b6/img/94ac9c2e9acb4eccb7d5169b9274ac23/94ac9c2e9acb4eccb7d5169b9274ac23.png' alt='Capital of Tajikistan: Dushanbe. /China Southern Airlines'

Strategic link for regional integration

This landmark route bridges the capitals of China and Tajikistan for the first time, creating a vital corridor in China’s rapidly expanding “Air Silk Road” across Central Asia. The launch strategically positions both nations for enhanced collaboration ahead of this week’s China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, facilitating smoother diplomatic and economic engagement. It strengthens Beijing’s commitment as outlined in its cooperation frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to build seamless transport networks across Eurasia.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-17/China-launches-first-direct-capital-flight-to-Tajikistan-1EhCRmxw0b6/img/1250a79c53064961ab9c5f6d593b12e7/1250a79c53064961ab9c5f6d593b12e7.jpeg' alt='China Southern Airlines flight from Beijing to Dushanbe taxiing at Beijing Daxing Airport, June 16, 2025. /China Southern Airlines'

Progress in China-Central Asia aviation ties

The Beijing-Dushanbe flight is the latest achievement in China’s systematic effort to deepen air connectivity with Central Asia. This initiative builds upon recent years of progress that have seen multiple new direct routes established between Chinese hubs and major Central Asian cities, including Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent, and Ashgabat. The expanding network is a concrete result of the deepening comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and Central Asian nations.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-17/China-launches-first-direct-capital-flight-to-Tajikistan-1EhCRmxw0b6/img/33ea3917b8144e24a3e7dcd4b510a7fd/33ea3917b8144e24a3e7dcd4b510a7fd.jpeg' alt='China Southern Airlines flight from Beijing to Dushanbe taking off from Beijing Daxing Airport, June 16, 2025. /China Southern Airlines'

Enhanced cooperation

This new air corridor stands as a significant pillar in the burgeoning architecture of China-Central Asia relations, serving immediate travel needs while laying groundwork for increased integration and high-level cooperation during this week’s summit in Astana and beyond. It reflects China’s strategic commitment to fostering a community with a shared future through tangible infrastructure development.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-17/China-launches-first-direct-capital-flight-to-Tajikistan-1EhCRmxw0b6/img/13761531b4f24766a08e7abe4e818107/13761531b4f24766a08e7abe4e818107.png' alt='China Southern Airlines flight CZ6051 carrying 173 passengers smoothly took off from Beijing, heading to Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, June 16, 2025. /China Southern Airlines'