China can help Central Asian ‘brethren’ to unite, Xi Jinping tells Xian summit
- Security, independence and territorial integrity of the region must be safeguarded, Chinese president tells leaders at inaugural event
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also expressed support for Chinese engagement, including belt and road plan
“Ethnic conflicts, religious strife and cultural divisions are not the main theme of Central Asia. Unity, tolerance and harmony are what the people of Central Asia seek,” he said, adding that “no one has the right to create discord and confrontation in Central Asia, let alone seek political self-interest from it”.
“The sovereignty, security, independence and territorial integrity of Central Asian countries must be safeguarded, the development path chosen independently by the Central Asian people must be respected, and the efforts of the Central Asian region to work for peace, harmony and tranquillity must be supported,” Xi said.
With its “unique geographical advantage”, Central Asia could “become an important interconnection hub in Asia and Europe”.
Xi pledged to expand trade and economic cooperation with Central Asia and said Beijing would deepen connectivity in the region and expand energy cooperation, among other things, according to state news agency Xinhua.