Xi Jinping hosts two dozen African leaders at China's biggest summit in years

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts African leaders in Beijing, promising cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and education at summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted more than two dozen African leaders at a banquet in Beijing on Wednesday, kicking off the city's biggest summit in years with promises of cooperation in infrastructure, energy and education.

China, the world's number two economy, is Africa's largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent's vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

It has also furnished African countries with billions in loans that have helped build much-needed infrastructure but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling governments with huge debts.

Twenty-five African leaders have arrived in Beijing or confirmed attendance at this week's China-Africa forum, according to an AFP tally, including some whose countries face a rising risk of debt distress.

Mr. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan welcomed guests as they arrived for a lavish dinner at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday evening, live AFP footage showed.

There was also a "family" photo of the gathered leaders and Mr. Xi will give a speech at an opening ceremony on Thursday morning.

Chinese state media has lauded Mr. Xi this week as a "true friend of Africa", claiming Beijing's ties were reaching "new heights" under his stewardship.