Accompanied by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit was marked by ceremonial honours, including a fighter jet escort and a vibrant display of national pride.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Kazakhstan for talks with Central Asian leaders, providing a counterpoint to a Group of Seven summit by visiting a vast region at the nexus of competing interests from Washington to Beijing.

Xi Jinping celebrated China's "eternal friendship" with Central Asia at a summit in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, as the Chinese leader blasted tariffs and sought to assert Beijing's influence in a