Chinese leader Xi Jinping kicked off a summit in the central Chinese city of Xi’an to which leaders of five Central Asian countries have been invited. In his opening speech, he called it “a strategic choice” to further deepen relations with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
“I am confident that this summit will be a great success, ushering in a new era of relations between China and Central Asia,” the president said, predicting a “bright future” for the region.
The five countries play an essential role in the development of the BRI (also often referred to as One Belt, One Road), in which China aims to increase its influence in the region through large-scale investment. It seems to be paying off. Earlier this year, Beijing announced that trade with Central Asian countries will increase by 60% by 2022.
G7
Xi had one-on-one meetings with leaders of the five countries on Thursday. The plenary part of the summit will take place on Friday. That day also begins the G7 summit in Hiroshima in Japan, attended by the leaders of seven rich industrial countries.
Xi’an, the metropolis where the Chinese summit is held, was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Trade has been carried out between China and Europe and the Middle East via this route for centuries.
Source: BNR
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