First Couple Doubly Celebrated Upon Arrival

Beijing, September 4, 2024. On this warm, breezy, Chinese autumn day, the First Couple of Cameroon alighted from their plane to a very warm reception at the Beijing International Airport. The welcome party was led by China’s Vice-Minister of Housing, Mr. Wang Hue, who was accompanied by Mrs. Pang Li Chuen, Vice-President of the National People’s Congress in Beijing. Worthy of note also, was the presence of the Ambassador of China to Cameroon, Wang Yingwu, as well as that of Cameroon's to China, Martin Mpana, and Madame. After the traditional presentation of flower bouquets and observation of due protocol formalities, the First Couple while being treated to military honours by a special regiment of “The Red Army”, amidst the waving of the Chinese flag and that of Ca- meroon from some 50 flag-waving youngsters, walked down the red- carpeted isle with pomp and flair to begin their participation in the 2024 edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. The diplomatic obligations at the airport lasted for about 30 minutes, and the presidential convoy departed for the St. Regis Hotel, where Paul and Chantal Biya will be lodging du- ring this visit to “The Red Empire”. Situated at the heart of Beijing’s di- plomatic district, the hotel was the site of more red-carpet activity for Paul and Chantal Biya, as both its management and members of Ca- meroon’s China-based community, jostled to outshine each other at playing the game of “Welcome”. Tal- king of the later party, the welcome- party of compatriots thrilled onloo- kers with boisterously chanted songs in praise of both the First Couple and the Fatherland. According to Afana Sambo Maurice, Consul for Cultural Affairs at Came- roon’s Embassy in China, the group comprised mainly of students and business people from the cities of Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou, as well as the embassy staff. Equipped with welcome banners, hand-held flags, and placards ...