Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday attended a welcome ceremony hosted by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
Accompanied by motorcycle escorts, the limousine carrying Xi arrived at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace where he was warmly greeted by Tokayev.
Upon Xi's arrival, a group of six fighter jets deployed by the Kazakh Air Force flew over the presidential palace and painted the sky with colored smoke trails of red and yellow, colors of the Chinese national flag.
Xi and Tokayev shook hands with each other's accompanying officials and exchanged greetings.
The two heads of state stepped onto a reviewing stand, and a military band played the Chinese and Kazakh national anthems.
Accompanied by Tokayev, Xi reviewed the Kazakh guard of honor.
After the welcome ceremony, Xi and Tokayev held small-group talks on ties and issues of mutual concern.
Xi arrived on Tuesday in Astana for a state visit to Kazakhstan, where he will also attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Xi attends welcome ceremony hosted by Kazakh President Tokayev
Xi attends welcome ceremony hosted by Kazakh President Tokayev
Xi attends welcome ceremony hosted by Kazakh President Tokayev
China will always be Tajikistan's trustworthy friend, reliable partner and close brother, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Friday.
Xi, who is paying a state visit to the Central Asian country at the invitation of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, made the remarks during large-group talks with his Tajik counterpart on Friday afternoon.
"It has been five years since I last visited your country, and I see a more prosperous Tajikistan. As a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner, China is sincerely glad to see this," Xi told Rahmon.
"Under the new circumstances, China is ready to develop a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Tajikistan in the new era and build a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future from a higher starting point. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always be Tajikistan's trustworthy friend, reliable partner and close brother," Xi added.
Rahmon extended a warm welcome to Xi, and expressed his belief that the visit will help deepen cooperation between the two sides.
"We consider you a loyal friend and reliable partner of our people. Gathering with good neighbors and old friends is always a particularly important and pleasant occasion for us. I believe that the results of your visit will open up new causes for the development of our long-term cooperation in the new era," he said.
China will always be Tajikistan's trustworthy friend, reliable partner, close brother: Xi
