Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping listen National anthems during their meeting in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. AP

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday started his first foreign trip since the outbreak of the pandemic with a stop in Kazakhstan ahead of a summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other leaders of a Central Asian security group.

Wearing a blue suit and a face mask, Xi was met on the airport tarmac by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and an honour guard, all of whom wore masks.

Xi’s trip underlines the importance Beijing places on asserting its role as a regional leader amid tension with Washington, Japan and India.

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Tokayev’s government said the two leaders would discuss energy and trade. Kazakhstan, a sparsely populated country of 19.4 million people and sprawling grasslands, is a major oil and gas producer. China is a leading customer.

Tokayev thanked Xi for his visit, which he said was of "historic significance” and came at a time of "unprecedented, after the end of the Cold War, escalation of international tensions.” He also hailed China’s support of "the economic development of Kazakhstan and our international initiatives."

The Chinese leader promised to resolutely support Kazakhstan "in protecting its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly support your ongoing reforms to ensure stability and development, and categorically oppose the interference of any forces in the internal affairs” of the country "no matter how the international situation changes.”