China announced to advance the implementation of a zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. The country also pledged to make joint efforts with Latin American and Caribbean nations to advance solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity.

Over the outgoing year, there was a long list of visiting foreign leaders from all five continents.

"China is working with various parties to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports the modernization drive of more developing countries, which will help open up new space for global development," Xi noted.

China plays a leading role among the Global South, treating countries equally, regardless of size, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, and walking the talk in international affairs, said Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, the first foreign leader to visit China in January this year.