President Xi Jinping said China is ready to help Central Asian nations bolster their security and defense capabilities as he wrapped a summit of the region’s leaders, underscoring Beijing’s efforts to deepen its influence there as an expansionist Russia raises fresh security issues.
China can help the region improve its “law enforcement, security, and defense capability construction,” Xi said during a keynote speech at the inaugural in-person China-Central Asia Summit, according to a report published by the official Xinhua News Agency. He also said China would provide 26 billion yuan ($3.7 billion) in financing support and “free assistance” to the countries.
