China, Central Asian Leaders Pledge Closer Cooperation on Security, Economy

China and five Central Asian nations pledged firm support for one another on sovereignty and security-related issues as the region’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the “one-China” principle at an inaugural gathering for the group of nations.

The two-day China-Central Asia Summit held in the historic city of Xi’an is the first in-person meeting between Beijing and the leaders of the nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — since diplomatic ties were established 31 years ago.