China's Xi hosts Central Asian leaders in 'milestone' summit

Xian, China (AFP) May 18, 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a Central Asian summit on Thursday, seeking to build regional influence as G7 leaders hold a rival gathering in Japan. Held in the ancient Chinese city of Xi'an, the historic eastern end of the Silk Road that linked China to Europe through Central Asia, this week's summit is of "milestone significance", Beijing has said. It is the first of its kind