China's Xi to visit Kazakhstan next week for high-level talks and regional summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Kazakhstan next week at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, marking another high-level diplomatic event in the region’s capital.

According to Akorda (press service of the Kazakh president), Xi’s official visit is scheduled for June 16–17 and will include both bilateral and regional engagements, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media.

A key highlight of the visit will be one-on-one talks between Xi and Tokayev, where the two leaders are expected to explore ways to deepen the already robust strategic partnership between their countries. The discussions will likely focus on expanding cooperation in trade, infrastructure, education, and regional security.

On June 17, Astana will also host the second Central Asia–China Summit, bringing together the heads of state from across Central Asia. 

The visit comes amid a wave of international attention on Kazakhstan. In just the past two weeks, Astana has hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is due to arrive today, June 11.

President Xi’s most recent visit to Kazakhstan was in July of last year. That trip featured a memorable welcome ceremony in Astana, complete with a children’s choir. One young singer even had a brief exchange with Xi and received an invitation to visit Beijing.

Xi and Tokayev later held a cordial dinner meeting, which was widely shared by Kazakh state media. The Chinese leader was also received at the presidential residence with full ceremonial honours.

During that visit, the two leaders inaugurated a branch of Beijing University in Astana and launched new cultural centres representing both nations. The trip concluded with a joint statement and a press briefing for local and international media, underscoring the strong personal and political rapport between the two presidents.

By Tamilla Hasanova