President Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Monday for Astana, Kazakhstan, where he will attend the second China-Central Asia Summit, according to Xinhua News Agency.

His entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister.

Xi will hold bilateral meetings before the summit on Tuesday, Kazakhstan's presidency said.

The heads of state of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan will also attend.

Central Asia is almost as big as the European Union but has a total population of just 80 million people.

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

Central Asia is an important strategic target for China in its Belt and Road initiative.

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