Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, hosted a lavish banquet in Beijing to welcome international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
In his heartfelt toast, Xi expressed his delight in strengthening the enduring friendship between China and African nations. He highlighted the remarkable progress made through win-win cooperation, emphasizing the pivotal role of FOCAC over the past 24 years in building essential infrastructure such as roads, railways, schools, hospitals, and industrial parks across Africa.
Xi reminisced about his visits to Africa and the warm hospitality extended by African leaders, reinforcing the belief in a shared future built on mutual respect and collaboration. He underlined the importance of modernization and the united efforts of the 2.8 billion Chinese and African people towards achieving new milestones.
The toast also acknowledged the collective resilience demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strengthened voice of the Global South in international forums. Looking ahead, Xi expressed confidence in continuing to spearhead modernization efforts and making greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind.
The banquet set an optimistic tone for the summit, celebrating the robust China-Africa community and its promising prospects for the future.
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Full text: Toast by Xi Jinping at welcome banquet of 2024 FOCAC summit
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