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Xi hosts African leaders, lauds model China-Africa ties ahead of grand summit

Source: Xinhua Updated: 2024-09-05

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Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet for international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday lauded the "stellar example" of China-Africa relations as China rolled out the red carpet for African leaders and other guests attending a grand summit expected to further elevate ties.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcome banquet at the Great Hall of the People for the guests who are in Beijing to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in years.

The summit, drawing the attendance of over 50 African leaders and the UN secretary-general, runs from Sept. 4 to 6.

Addressing the banquet, Xi said he has been to Africa 10 times.

The China-Africa community with a shared future sets a stellar example for building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

The China-Africa community with a shared future is deeply rooted in the traditional friendship between the two sides, Xi said, adding that the friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.

"We have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, and special economic zones. These projects have changed the lives and destiny of many people," Xi said, noting that the China-Africa community with a shared future thrives on the strength of win-win cooperation.

Noting that the China-Africa community with a shared future grows in step with the times, Xi said the two sides have maintained close cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues, and together have made the voice of the Global South stronger.

He expressed confidence that as long as the 2.8-billion-strong Chinese and African people are united, "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, co-chair of FOCAC, expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the Chinese people on behalf of the African leaders.

Both Africa and China stand for a more equal, orderly, mutually beneficial and inclusive world, he said.

Faye said that China, under President Xi's leadership, has not only achieved its own rapid development but also made important contributions to promoting world peace and growth.

The African side, Faye said, is ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China, deepen the Africa-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and better safeguard their common interests.

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

After the banquet, an artistic performance titled "Joining hands for a brighter future" was staged for the guests. 

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Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet for international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

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International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling]

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International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), enter the venue for a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

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International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Pang Xinglei]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), enter the venue for a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

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International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Gao Jie]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), pose for a group photo before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Rwandan President Paul Kagame before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Gambian President Adama Barrow and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Tunisian Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Cameroonian President Paul Biya and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Algeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad Ahmed Attaf before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Sao Tome and Principe's Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Namibia's President Nangolo Mbumba before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Vice President of Benin Mariam Talata before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Madagascar Andry Nirina Rajoelina and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed al-Menfi before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Vice President of Mauritius Eddy Boissezon and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Lesotho's Prime Minister Sam Matekane before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Malian President Assimi Goita before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Comorian President Azali Assoumani before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo and her husband before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Tiemoko Meyliet Kone, vice president of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]