On March 29, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Brazzaville for a state visit to the Republic of Congo.

Today's Brazzaville is very hot under the scorching sun. At about 12:00 local time, Xi's special plane arrived at Brazzaville Maya-Maya Airport. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan went down the ladder and were warmly greeted by President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso and his wife. The two heads of state cordially shook hands and local children presented flowers to the guests. Senate President André Obami Itou, President of the National Assembly Justin Koumba as well as a dozen of government ministers also greeted Xi at the airport.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. The two heads of state mounted to the inspection platform and the military band played the national anthems of the two countries and fired 21 gun salutes. Xi inspected the guards of honor, the army, navy and air force as well as the square-shaped formation of special forces and watched the march-past. Later, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan watched African-style singing and dancing in the company of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and his wife.

The national flags of the two countries were hung and huge placards praising bilateral traditional friendship were erected everywhere in the streets that ran for several kilometers from the airport to the hotel where President Xi would stay. Tens of thousands of local people were festively cheering, singing and dancing, to greet the arrival of the distinguished guests despite of the scorching heat. They were waving the national flags of the two countries and dressed in clothes bearing the national emblems of the two countries and portraits of the two heads of state. "Hello!" "Long live the Sino-Congolese friendship!" "May China-Congo cooperation be everlasting!" There was a sea of friendliness, with wave-upon-wave singing, applause and cheers.

In a written statement issued upon arrival at the airport, Xi extended sincere greetings and good wishes to the Congolese people. Xi said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 49 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with sincerity and solidarity. Sino-Congolese relationship is good enough to serve as a model of South-South cooperation. "My current visit, I believe, would deepen mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two sides and lift the bilateral ties to a new and higher level."

Xi's entourage including Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jiechi arrived by the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Congo Guan Jian also greeted Xi at the airport.

Xi flew in from Durban after concluding his visit to South Africa and attending the fifth summit of BRICS nations. Upon leaving Durban, Xi was seen off at the airport by South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. The Republic of Congo is the last stop of Xi's current tour.