On the evening of September 4, 2024, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome the African and international guests attending the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event.

In September, Beijing enjoys clear skies and crisp air. Inside the majestic Great Hall of the People, the Chinese national flag, the national flags of the FOCAC member states, and the flag of the African Union are displayed together in brilliant array.

Fifty-one African heads of state and government and their spouses, two presidential representatives, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and other distinguished guests arrived at the Great Hall of the People successively. Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan warmly greeted them, shook hands and exchanged greetings with them respectively, and took a group photo.

Lively and cheerful children sang beautiful songs, played joyful African drums, and danced with enthusiasm to warmly welcome the international guests from afar.

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Accompanied by the melodious Tune of Welcome, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan walked into the banquet hall with distinguished guests.

Xi Jinping made a toast and on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended a warm welcome to the guests.

Xi Jinping pointed out that all his meetings with African friends have been cordial and heartwarming. They have reinforced his belief that the China-Africa community with a shared future is built on a strong foundation, has been blessed with a good start, and enjoys broad prospects. It sets a stellar example for building a community with a shared future for mankind. The China-Africa community with a shared future is deeply rooted in their traditional friendship, thrives on the strength of win-win cooperation, and grows in step with the times. China and African countries have been fighting shoulder to shoulder imperialism, colonialism, and hegemonism, and advancing hand in hand along the path of development, revitalization, and modernization. They pulled together in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintained close cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues. China-Africa friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.

Xi Jinping stressed that "We human beings have been dreaming of a community with a shared future, and modernization is what it takes to turn our dream into reality. China and Africa have been, and remain, pioneers in building this community, and we will stay at the forefront in pursuing modernization. I am confident that as long as the 2.8 billion-strong Chinese and African people are united for this common goal, we will accomplish new and even greater feats together on the way toward modernization, spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind."

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, the co-chair of the FOCAC, on behalf of African leaders, thanked the friendly Chinese people for their warm hospitality and thoughtful arrangements, saying that the friendship between Africa and China has a deep foundation and a time-honored history. Both sides share similar ideals, treat each other as equals, show mutual respect, seek mutual benefit, and pursue solidarity and cooperation. Both Africa and China stand for a more equal, orderly, mutually beneficial and inclusive world. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has not only achieved its own rapid development, but also made important contributions to promoting world peace and growth. The African side highly appreciates the important initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping and China's important contributions to promoting China-Africa cooperation, including the FOCAC's institutional development. The African side is ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China, deepen the Africa-China comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership and better safeguard common interests.

After the banquet, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan as well as the distinguished guests watched an artistic performance titled "Joining Hands for a Brighter Future". The performance showcased the diversity of vibrant civilizations of China and Africa and the mutual understanding between their peoples, earning rounds of enthusiastic applause.

Wang Yi, Yin Li, Li Shulei, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong and other officials attended the above activities.