China and Central Asia marked a new milestone in cultural and tourism exchanges on Monday. The opening ceremony of Kazakhstan's China Tourism Year was held in Astana, featuring a Silk Road-themed exhibition, cultural performances, and a Hanfu fashion show. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the China National Silk Museum and Kazakhstan’s National Museum to enhance cooperation. Meanwhile, China launched its first direct flight from Beijing to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, reducing travel time to around six to seven hours and further strengthening regional connectivity.