ASTANA — Chinese President landed in Kazakhstan on Monday, June 16th, to attend the second China – Central Asia Summit, a major diplomatic event aimed at reinforcing Beijing’s influence in the region.
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The summit will take place Tuesday in the capital, Astana. It comes amid global power shifts and growing tensions in neighbouring Iran, currently caught in conflict with Israel.
Leaders from all five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – will join Xi at the meeting. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi is expected to deliver a keynote speech and discuss cooperation, regional challenges, and the progress of the China – Central Asia framework.
The summit holds symbolic importance. It marks the first time all five Central Asian presidents will meet a foreign leader together on their home soil.
Kazakhstan’s presidency emphasized plans to deepen bilateral ties with China. Xi will also hold high – level talks with President Kassym – Jomart Tokayev to further develop their strategic partnership.
Tokayev, fluent in Mandarin and a former diplomat in China, has led Kazakhstan since 2019.
Al Jazeera and agencies
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