Published: 12:03, May 18, 2023 | Updated: 14:03, May 18, 2023
Central Asia leaders converge in China
By Wang Zhan

Shaanxi folk dancers perform during a welcoming ceremony for Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The presidents of five Central Asian countries have arrived in Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province, ahead of the first China-Central Asia Summit, which is scheduled to be held on May 18-19.

The leaders – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov –  were warmly welcomed by folk performances at the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon arrives in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon arrives in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrives in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Shaanxi folk dancers perform during a welcoming ceremony for Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Shaanxi folk artists perform during a welcoming ceremony for leaders of the Central Asian countries in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Children welcome the arriving of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Shaanxi folk artists perform during a welcoming ceremony for leaders of the Central Asian countries in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Shaanxi folk artists perform during a welcoming ceremony for leaders of the Central Asian countries in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Children welcome the arriving of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Shaanxi folk artists perform during a welcoming ceremony for leaders of the Central Asian countries in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)