China-Central Asia Summit: Highlights of Xi Jinping's keynote addres.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday delivered a keynote address at the China-Central Asia Summit held in the city of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The summit, which runs from Thursday to Friday, was attended by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

China and Central Asian countries have joined hands over the past decade to usher in a new era of their relations, Xi noted.

President Xi stressed that the sovereignty, security, independence and territorial integrity of Central Asian countries must be safeguarded, the development paths independently chosen by Central Asian people must be respected, Xi said, adding that the efforts made by the region to pursue peace, amity and tranquility must be supported.

The Chinese president said a prosperous Central Asia will meet the aspiration of people of different countries in the region for a better life, and inject strong impetus into world economic recovery.

He said ethnic conflicts, religious disputes and cultural division are not the main theme in Central Asia, while solidarity, inclusiveness and amity are the pursuit of the Central Asian people.

The region, blessed with unique geographical advantages, has the foundation, conditions and capabilities to become an important hub for the connectivity of the Eurasian continent, and to make Central Asian contributions to the exchanges of goods, the interactions between civilizations and the development of science and technology in the world, he said.

A China-Central Asia community with a shared future China and Central Asian countries should deepen strategic mutual trust, and always offer clear and strong support for each other on...