Close ties with Central Asia

President Xi Jinping's upcoming tour will further promote cooperation and boost relations between China and the region

President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visits to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan from Sept 3 to 13 is another major diplomatic move by China's new leadership that has great significance.

First, the trip will help enhance mutual trust between China and the four Central Asian countries. Over the past 20-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Central Asian countries have been adhering to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual trust, mutual assistance and win-win cooperation. China firmly supports Central Asian countries choosing their own independent development paths and their efforts to maintain their sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security, and it has never interfered in their internal affairs for any reason or in any way. Meanwhile, Central Asian countries have always supported China's stance and policies on issues concerning its core interests. On major international issues, the two sides have exchanged information and coordinated their positions in a timely manner.