Central Asian visit to enhance security

President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, who are both vital to China's economic and anti-terrorism efforts, will boost bilateral ties with the neighboring Central Asian countries, a senior Chinese diplomat said yesterday.

During the visits from Dec 12-14, Hu will hold talks with his Kazak counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, said Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Guangya.

"China will enhance cooperation with the Central Asian states and make further contributions to peace and development in the region," he said.