On December 19, 2016, President Xi Jinping accepted credentials presented by nine new Ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People. They were: Egyptian Ambassador to China Osama Elmagdoub, Namibian Ambassador to China Elia George Kaiyamo, Beninese Ambassador to China Simon Pierre Adovelande, Tunisian Ambassador to China Dhia Khaled, Yemeni Ambassador to China Mohamed Othman Almekhlafi, Kuwaiti Ambassador to China Sameeh Johar Hayat, Nepalese Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal, Cuban Ambassador to China Miguel Ramirez Ramos and Bulgarian Ambassador to China Grigor Porozhanov.

Xi Jinping welcomed the Ambassadors to their new posts in China, and expressed that the Chinese government will provide convenience and support for the work of Ambassadors. It is hoped that the Ambassadors could make positive contributions to promoting the development of bilateral relations between China and their countries, and enhancing friendship between the people. Xi Jinping spoke positively of China's sound relations with all these countries, and pointed out that China is willing to continuously strengthen friendly and practical cooperation with all countries, so as to achieve common prosperity. Xi Jinping asked the Ambassadors to convey sincere greetings and best wishes to the leaders and people of their own countries.

The Ambassadors conveyed warm regards from leaders of their own countries to Xi Jinping. They said that they admire China's giant achievements in development, support the "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by China, attach importance to China's status and role in the world, and are committed to developing positive relations toward China. The Ambassadors expressed that they are greatly honored to serve as Ambassadors to China, and are ready to boost their countries' friendly cooperation with China, so as to better benefit all countries and the Chinese people.