Consolidating ties with neighbors

With exchanges and interconnectivity, China and its neighbors have formed a community of common destiny. Xi's four-nation tour is another major diplomatic move to advance China's relations with its neighbors and promote common development.

During his visit to Tajikistan, Xi and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will witness the launch of bilateral large-scale cooperation projects, which will bring tangible benefits to local people.

"When Tajikistan proposed to develop transportation and break traffic bottlenecks as one of its three strategic objectives, the Chinese side immediately offered support," said Sherali Rahmon, first deputy transport minister.

During the visit, China and Tajikistan will also sign a number of cooperation documents in trade, investment, agriculture, justice and education.

Xi will be the first Chinese head of state to visit the Maldives since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago.

China has been the Maldives' largest source of tourists in the past four years, said Maldives' Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb, adding that Chinese tourists have bailed out his country's tourism industry at a time when the number of European tourists suddenly shrank as a result of the sovereign debt crisis.

Infrastructure is the highlight of China-Maldives cooperation. Maldives' Foreign Ministry building and the National Museum, which were constructed with Chinese aid, have become landmarks of the island country. Despite different national conditions and social systems, China is Maldives' most intimate and powerful development partners.

Xi's visit to Sri Lanka takes place one year after Xi and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, announced in Beijing to upgrade bilateral relations to strategic partnership.

The two leaders are expected to discuss plans to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Its construction will have historical basis and practical significance for Sri Lanka, said Asanga Abeygoonasekera, executive director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies.

The negotiations on a free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and China will be a major topic. Such an agreement will greatly facilitate economic and trade exchanges between the two countries, said Asanga.

China and India, the two largest developing countries in the world, as well as the world's major emerging economies, have great cooperation potential.

During his visit, Xi and Indian leaders will plan the development of China-India relations and identify priority areas and directions of bilateral cooperation.

Jacob of India's Institute of Chinese Studies said that Chinese and Indian economies are highly complementary, and that prospects are good for economic and trade cooperation. "China can be more involved in construction projects in India railways, power plants. India can accept more investment from China," he said.

The Chinese president will deliver a speech in New Delhi to expound on China-India relations and China's South Asia policy.