President Xi meets world leaders in Beijing ahead of the Belt and Road forum

published: 2017-05-12 19:45:10

Chinese President Xi Jinping held meetings on Friday with the leaders of Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Poland and Ethiopia who are in Beijing to attend the upcoming Belt and Road forum. During talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirzi-yoyev, Xi Jinping said the two countries should prepare for further cooperation to ensure long-term trade development. In his meeting with Mongolian Prime Minister Jargal-tulgyn Erdenebat, the Chinese President emphasized the possibility of a regional free-trade zone. He discussed cooperation within the Belt and Road initiative with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szyd?o. And in talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, President Xi suggested upgrading bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership to improve economic and trade activities.