BEIJING - President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders watched an opening gala of the Fifth Minorities Art Festival Thursday evening in Beijing.

Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan and other senior leaders joined over 3,000 spectators to watch the gala held at the Great Hall of the People.

The performances, including songs and dances, showcased distinctive cultures of different ethnic groups, under the theme of pursuing solidarity and development, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Before the gala, the leaders met with representatives of the performers.

The Fifth Minorities Art Festival is sponsored by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and the Beijing municipal government.

From Tuesday to Sept 14, more than 7,000 ethnic minority artists will perform a total of 43 shows in Beijing.