BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhuanet) -- After attending a summit of BRICS nations in the South African city of Durban, Chinese President Xi Jinping is paying a state visit to the Republic of Congo. It’s the first by a Chinese head of state since the two countries set up diplomatic relations 49 years ago.

President Xi arrived in the capital Brazzaville on Friday. In a statement on his arrival, Xi said relations between China and the Republic of Congo have developed at a rapid pace across all sectors, and that practical cooperation between the two nations has made remarkable progress.

President Xi received a warm welcome from the Congolese government and people upon his arrival in the central African nation.

A local resident in Brazzaville said, "We are dressed this way in order to welcome the Chinese president. We are so delighted that he could come to our country. We take pride in what China has done. What the Chinese have done has made our city much more beautiful."

(Source: CNTV.cn)