The meeting, set to take place on Tuesday in the Kazakh capital Astana, comes as Moscow's traditional dominance over Central Asia wanes and as China seeks to bolster its trade and economic ties.

Images from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Xi's presidential plane gliding along a sun-drenched runway ahead of a welcome from diplomats flanked by military personnel in white and blue uniforms.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met Xi after his arrival and the two held talks later in the day, with Xi pledging to "upgrade" their bilateral cooperation, according to a readout published by Chinese state media.

The trip is Xi's third overseas this year, following visits to Southeast Asia and Russia.

China is in competition with Russia -- the former colonial power in Central Asia -- for influence in the vast region, which is almost as big as the European Union but with a total population of just 80 million people.

Central Asia is an important strategic target for China in its Belt and Road initiative -- which uses huge infrastructure investments as a political and diplomatic lever.

Xi's visit will "(open) up more room for the joint construction of the Belt and Road", Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Monday.

The region is also rich in natural resources, and Chinese investment could facilitate trade with Europe.

The five Central Asian republics have been trying to reduce their dependence on Russia and increase partnerships with other countries.

That move has accelerated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

burs/giv