President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan welcome UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before a banquet for distinguished guests attending the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, welcomed the leaders and their spouses at the Great Hall of the People before taking a group photo on Tuesday evening. The banquet was held at the Golden Hall of the majestic building.

The president started his speech by saying: "Spring is a season of blossoming, and autumn is a time of harvest. Over the past decade since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, China and BRI partners have worked hand in hand and exemplified the Silk Road spirit, which is characterized by peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.

"Together we have contributed to global connectivity and created platforms for international economic cooperation. Together we have been a driving force for global growth.