May 17, 2023

Leaders from five Central Asian countries are arriving in Xi'an successively from Wednesday to attend the China-Central Asia Summit, scheduled from Thursday to Friday. The summit, taking place in the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, will witness a new chapter of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, where all sides aim to expand areas of cooperation and strengthen ties. Experts believe traditional and new energy, commodities and digital commerce are likely to be the focus of trade cooperation during the summit. 

The gathering of five leaders of Central Asian countries at the same time in one Chinese city for the summit demonstrates their willingness to elevate cooperation with China, said experts. They described some Western media's smears and hype over China's cooperation with Central Asian countries as evidence of "sour grapes" mentality, as their influence in the region pales in comparison with China's. 

At China's invitation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan will be attending the summit, along with other top officials from the five nations.

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