Leaders pose for group photo at APEC

APEC

Leaders pose for group photo at APEC(From L to R) Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, his wife Peng Liyuan, U.S. President Barack Obama and Indonesian President Joko Widodo walk before the ceremonial reception held for members of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on November 10, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ POOL/ MICHAEL KLIMENTYEV

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan joined more than 20 foreign leaders and their spouses for a group photo in Beijing ahead of a welcome banquet on Monday evening.

Slideshow: APEC’s fashion tradition through the years.

Inside the Beijing National Aquatics Center, a former Olympic venue commonly known as the “Water Cube,” leaders of economies who have gathered for the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting posed for photos with their spouses according to an APEC tradition. Like the hosts, foreign leaders and spouses all dressed in traditional Chinese silk clothing.

The leaders’ meeting, chaired by President Xi, is scheduled on Monday and Tuesday under the theme “Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership.”

Leaders pose for group photo at APEC

Leaders pose for group photo at APEC

Beijing’s sky was illuminated by a gigantic fireworks display to welcome world leaders. It was staged at the Olympic “Bird’s Nest” stadium, combining Chinese culture and concepts of environmental protection. Organizers used new eco-friendly explosives, to avoid worsening the air quality in the Capital.

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