China’s Xi in Kazakhstan to Cement ‘Eternal’ Central Asia Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the China+Central Asia summit in Astana, Kazakhstan on June 17, 2025. Image via Xinhua.

Xi Jinping celebrated China’s “eternal friendship” with Central Asia at a summit in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, as the Chinese leader blasted tariffs and sought to assert Beijing’s influence in a region historically dominated by Russia.

The summit in Astana brought together Xi with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

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