China's Xi unveils grand development plan for Central Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday unveiled a grand plan for Central Asia's development, from building infrastructure to boosting trade, taking on a new leadership role in a region that has traditionally been a Russian sphere of influence. China is ready to co-ordinate development strategies with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and promote the modernization of all, Xi said in an address to a China-Central Asia Summit in northwest China. "This summit has added new impetus to the development and revitalization of the six counties, and injected strong positive energy into regional peace and stability," Xi said later at…