On the evening of August 31, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet in the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Center for the international dignitaries attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in China.
By the Haihe River, the lights are sparkling.
More than 20 foreign heads of state and government and their spouses from SCO member states, observer states, dialogue partners and guests of China as current SCO President, as well as 10 heads of international organizations including the United Nations Secretary-General, arrived at the venue successively. Honor guards lined up to render honors. With the celebrated national melodies of various countries played in the background, the international dignitaries proceeded down the red carpet through a magnificent array of flags consisting of the participating countries' national flags, the SCO flag and the U.N. flag.
Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan warmly welcomed the foreign leaders and their spouses. They shook hands cordially, exchanged greetings, and posed for a group photo.
Accompanied by the welcoming melody, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, together with the distinguished guests, proceeded into the banquet hall.
In his speech, President Xi Jinping extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests attending the SCO summit in China on behalf of the Chinese government and people.
President Xi Jinping stressed that since its founding, the SCO has stayed committed to the Shanghai Spirit, strengthening solidarity and mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, and taking an active part in international and regional affairs. The SCO has grown into a significant force in promoting a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for humanity. At present, the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability. The SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity of all countries. This Summit is tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development. It is believed that with the collective efforts of all parties, this Summit will be a complete success and the SCO will play an even greater role, achieve greater development, and make greater contribution to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the member states, pooling the strength of the Global South, and promoting the cause of human advancement.
President Xi Jinping pointed out that Tianjin is an open and inclusive metropolis. It has served as a strategic guardian city for the nation's capital throughout history, and pioneered China's reform and opening up as a pilot zone. In recent years, Tianjin has implemented the national strategy of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development, and written its new and dynamic chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. It is believed that as the host of this Summit, Tianjin will give fresh impetus to the sustainable development of the Organization.
After the banquet, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, together with the distinguished guests, watched the gala performance Together We Build A Brighter Future, which featured the charm of mutual learning and harmony among civilizations and the inspiring force of unity and cooperation within the SCO family as its members strive together for a? brilliant future.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Chen Min'er, Wang Xiaohong, among others, were present at the banquet.
Before the banquet, the distinguished guests viewed the display of Tianjin intangible cultural heritage.
