China Expands Air Links with Uzbekistan Amid Growing Trade and Visa-Free Travel
China Southern began operating direct flights from Guangzhou to Tashkent on June 30, 2025. The carrier also offers services from Beijing and Urumqi to both Tashkent and Samarkand.
China Eastern followed suit by launching Xi’an to Tashkent flights on July 16, operating three times a week.
Visa-Free Travel Boosts Demand
The expansion of air routes follows the mutual visa-free agreement introduced on June 1, 2025. Citizens of both countries can now visit each other for up to 30 days without a visa, significantly boosting tourism and business travel.
Airlines have responded quickly to the growing demand, adapting their schedules and capacity to accommodate rising passenger flows.
Trade Between China and Uzbekistan Hits $5.4 Bn
China has become Uzbekistan’s top trading partner in 2025. From January to May, bilateral trade reached $5.4 bn, surpassing Russia’s $4.8 bn.
However, Russia remains the leading export destination for Uzbek goods, with exports totalling $1.6 bn. Exports to China stood at $755 mln. In contrast, China dominates imports, supplying $4.65 bn worth of goods to Uzbekistan, compared to Russia’s $3.23 bn.
Chinese Businesses Overtake Russian Presence in Uzbekistan
As of July 1, 2025, Uzbekistan hosts 4,192 Chinese companies, overtaking 3,098 Russian firms. Chinese investments continue to rise, driven by infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the Israeli military has carried out an airstrike targeting the General Staff headquarters of the Syrian army in the capital city of Damascus.
