Kim–Xi meetings

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a Central Asian summit on Thursday, seeking to build regional influence as G7 leaders hold a rival gathering in Japan.

Held in the ancient Chinese city of Xi'an, the historic eastern end of the Silk Road that linked China to Europe through Central Asia, this week's summit is of "milestone significance", Beijing has said.

In order to ensure that its economic and political interests in the Korean Peninsula region are not threatened by the West, China wants North Korea to avoid sabre-rattling, especially during the National Congress, where Chinese President Xi Jinping will be declared President for an unprecedented third term, media reports said.

The United States and China are working to narrow their differences enough to sign a "phase one" trade deal as early as this month, but suggestions for a signing venue range from Alaska to Greece.

In July, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing as they decided to implement a strategic partnership. A recent four-day visit to China by Radev saw the Capital of Bulgaria, Sofia lifting state-to-state ties with Beijing, reports IOL.

Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated his 66th birthday on June 15 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who Xi considers a close friend and who gave Xi ice cream as a present, Chinese state media reported.

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, arrived in China on Monday for a four-day visit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Chinese and North Korean official media said, quoted by Washington Post. 

The visit offers Kim and Xi an opportunity to co-ordinate second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.