Military Space News
THE STANS
China's Xi in Kazakhstan for Central Asia summit
China's Xi in Kazakhstan for Central Asia summit
by AFP Staff Writers
Astana, Kazakhstan (AFP) June 16, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazakhstan on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit, Beijing's state media reported.

State news agency Xinhua reported at around 12:30 pm Kazakh time (0730 GMT) that the Chinese leader had touched down in the capital Astana.

Images from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Xi's presidential plane gliding along a sun-drenched runway ahead of a welcome from diplomats flanked by military personnel in white and blue uniforms.

He will hold bilateral meetings before the summit on Tuesday, according to Kazakhstan's presidency.

Beijing's foreign ministry said Monday that the meetings "will jointly outline a new blueprint for future cooperation".

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will attend the summit alongside the heads of state of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The trip is Xi's third overseas this year, following visits to Southeast Asia and Russia.

China is in competition with Russia -- the former colonial power in Central Asia -- for influence in the vast region, which is almost as big as the European Union but with a total population of just 80 million people.

Central Asia is an important strategic target for China in its Belt and Road initiative -- which uses huge infrastructure investments as a political and diplomatic lever.

Xi's visit will "(open) up more room for the joint construction of the Belt and Road", Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Monday.

The region is also rich in natural resources, and Chinese investment could facilitate trade with Europe.

The five Central Asian republics have been trying to reduce their dependence on Russia and increase partnerships with other countries.

That move has accelerated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Related Links
News From Across The Stans

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
THE STANS
India defence chief says jet downed in Pakistan conflict
Singapore (AFP) May 31, 2025
India's defence chief on Saturday appeared to confirm his country had lost at least one aircraft during the brief conflict with Pakistan earlier this month, he told Bloomberg in an interview. India and Pakistan were engaged in a four-day conflict this month, their worst standoff since 1999, before a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire on both sides. Pakistan claimed its Chinese-supplied jets had shot down six Indian aircraft. ... read more

THE STANS
Trump's Golden Dome rethinks defense against long-range threats

NATO chief urges 400-percent rise in alliance's air defence

Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

THE STANS
Israel army says struck underground missile facility in western Iran

Germany not considering delivering Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine: minister

Iran hits Tel Aviv after overnight Israeli strikes on Tehran

Ukraine says Russian strikes hit Kyiv, Odesa, killing three

THE STANS
Two Iranian drones shot down in Iraq by international coalition: officials

AI-enabled control system helps autonomous drones stay on target in uncertain environments

Jordan says intercepted drones, missiles in its airspace

Russia says killed man attempting drone attack on military site

THE STANS
Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

Skynet 6A reaches integration milestone as Airbus prepares next-gen military satellite

Enveil Secures DIU Contract to Advance Hybrid Space Architecture Data Capabilities

Retired four-star US admiral convicted on corruption charges

THE STANS
B61-13 gravity bomb reaches first production milestone ahead of projected timeline

NATO learns as Ukraine's 'creativity' changes battlefield

Meta and Anduril join forces on battlefield tech

Japan shows off futuristic 'railgun' at defence expo

THE STANS
Israel vows court fight as France walls off displays at Paris Air Show

South Korea in 'final stages' to sign major tank deal with Poland

As NATO ups defence spending, can Europe produce the weapons?

Hegseth defends $961.6B Defense Department budget request

THE STANS
Europe facing security 'perfect storm': EU defence chief

Beijing hails improving Vatican ties after Pope Leo names first Chinese bishop

Germany's Merz says 'no doubt' US to stick with NATO

Ukraine war 'existential', Russia says, launching revenge strikes

THE STANS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.