AKIPRESS.COM - Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that deepening China-Central Asia cooperation is in line with the prevailing trend of the world and the expectations of the people, Xinhua reported.

Xi made the remarks when addressing a welcome banquet for Central Asian leaders attending the China-Central Asia Summit, which runs from Thursday to Friday in the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an.

He said deepening China-Central Asia cooperation is a strategic choice of the leaders of this generation.

Central Asian countries are welcome to board the "express train" of China's development, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the China-Central Asia Summit will usher in a new era of China-Central Asia relations.