China announces US$3.8 billion Belt and Road expansion in Central Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping used the Xian summit to tell the leaders of five Central Asian countries, on May 19, 2023, that China aims to bolster trade and economic cooperation with another expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi pledged US$3.8 billion as part of the development plan. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had already met with Xi on May 18. All embraced Beijing’s commitment.