Xi hosts banquet for guests attending Belt and Road forum

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a banquet Friday evening in honor of guests attending the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, my wife and also in my own name, let me extend warm welcome to all guests," Xi said while proposing a toast at the banquet.

"Today's gathering makes us recall the beautiful memories in our hearts," Xi said, adding that "no matter how the international environment changes, the sincere friendship will last forever and the mutually beneficial cooperation will be the eternal melody in our hearts."

The occasion inspires the participants via exchanges of ideas and insights, he said, calling for fostering global partnerships and creating a bright future of common development.

"Today's gathering reminds us of the heavy responsibilities on our shoulders," Xi told the guests that as the world is now undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, "may we all live up to our missions and the times."

"We should all have faith that people of all countries deserve a better future, and the joint building of the Belt and Road will surely bring about a better world," he said.

Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan also attended the banquet.

After the banquet, Xi and his wife accompanied the guests in watching a gala.