Central Asia leaders converge in China as Xi touts ‘enduring’ friendship

[1/7] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shake hands during a signing ceremony, ahead of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, Shaanxi province, China May 17,… Read more XIAN, China, May 18 (Reuters) – Central Asian heads of state converged in China’s historic city of Xian on Thursday for one-on-ones with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to seal pledges of “enduring” friendship, and paving the way for a summit expected to result in a regional pact with Beijing. The bilateral talks will set the stage for a group meeting on Friday, the first in-person gathering of the six…