BEIJING - About 3,000 people attended the opening ceremony of the 10th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese and their Relatives in Beijing Wednesday.

Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the ceremony.

On behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Zhao Leji delivered a speech at the event, expressing congratulations to the congress and extending greetings to returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, Chinese people living abroad and workers with the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (AFROC).

During his speech, Zhao expressed appreciation to the contributions made by returned overseas Chinese, their relatives and Chinese people living overseas as well as the patriotic sentiment, striving spirit and the confident image they displayed.

Zhao said the important discourses by President Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on the work related to returned overseas Chinese affairs has provided the fundamental guideline for relevant work in the new era.

He also called on returned overseas Chinese, their relatives and Chinese people living overseas to keep firmly in mind the hopes of the Party and the people, uphold the greater national interests, promote Chinese culture and make new contributions to the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Decisions to honor models of returned overseas Chinese and outstanding individuals and groups under the AFROC and affiliated organizations were also announced at the ceremony.