ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Kazakhstan’s capital on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit, signaling a continued push to deepen China’s influence across the region.
Xi’s aircraft was escorted into Kazakh airspace by fighter jets from the Kazakh Air Force. Upon landing at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, he was received by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtleu, and senior Kazakh officials.
A formal welcome ceremony unfolded at the tarmac. A Kazakh girl presented Xi with flowers, and honor guards stood at attention along a blue carpet. Children holding Chinese and Kazakh flags cheered from the sidelines as helicopters flew overhead bearing both nations’ flags.
President Tokayev joined Xi for the honor guard parade and a brief cultural presentation, which featured performances by local schoolchildren. The welcome marked the beginning of a summit expected to shape economic and security cooperation between China and Central Asian nations.
On the drive into central Astana, crowds gathered along the highway holding red banners with messages including “Warm welcome, President Xi Jinping” and “Long live the friendship between China and Kazakhstan.”
The summit builds on the outcomes of the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023 in Xi’an, China. It is expected to focus on infrastructure, trade expansion, and regional stability. Kazakhstan, a key Belt and Road partner, remains central to China’s efforts to expand westward economic ties.
Chinese and Kazakh leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks ahead of the broader summit, where representatives from other Central Asian countries are expected to join discussions on cross-border trade, investment, and security partnerships.
No formal agreements have been announced yet, but diplomatic sources have indicated that energy cooperation and transport logistics will feature prominently in the agenda.
President Xi’s visit comes as China aims to strengthen its standing in Central Asia, a region that has seen growing competition for influence from Russia, the United States, and Turkey.
Further details on the summit schedule and expected deliverables are set to be released following the bilateral meetings. Xi is also expected to meet with leaders from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan during the summit.
