Chinese president hosts welcoming dinner for SCO guests

President Xi Jinping (C, front) and guests attending the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit head for a banquet in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, June 9, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Guided by the Shanghai Spirit, the SCO has delivered fruitful outcomes in security, economic and cultural cooperation and made historic strides in institution building, he said.

With eight member states, four observer states and six dialogue partners, the SCO has become an important force for upholding regional security, promoting common development and improving global governance, Xi said.

"Qingdao is a famous international sailing capital. It is from here that many ships set sail in pursuit of dreams. Tomorrow, we will hold the first summit of the SCO after its expansion and draw up a blueprint for its future growth," Xi said.

"The Qingdao summit is a new departure point for us. Together, let us hoist the sail of the Shanghai Spirit, break waves and embark on a new voyage for our organization," he said.

After the dinner, Xi and the guests watched an artistic performance of lights and fireworks with the theme of "A Warm Welcome to Friends from Afar."

Xi and foreign leaders had a group photo taken ahead of the dinner.