On the afternoon of May 6, 2024 local time, President Xi Jinping, who is paying a state visit to France, attended a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Paris in May is beautiful with clear skies and gentle breezes. On the bank of the Seine River, the golden dome of Hôtel National des Invalides shined brightly, and the five-starred red flag of China and the blue-white-red tricolor flag of France fluttered in the wind.

When Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived, they were greeted warmly by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the alighting point of their limo. To a grand march music, the two heads of state stepped onto the square. The military band played the national anthems of China and France. The two heads of state inspected the French Republican Guard as well as the honor guard of the army, navy and air force, and watched the march-past. Then, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan shook hands with key French officials one by one. President Macron and his wife shook hands with the accompanying Chinese officials respectively.

Following the welcoming ceremony, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, under the escort of a ceremonial cavalcade made up of 148 cavalrymen from the Republican Guard and motorcycles, headed for the Elysée Palace by car.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi, among others, attended the welcoming ceremony.