An aerial view of Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province. [Photo provided by Guangzhou municipal party committee publicity bureau]

Guangzhou took center stage yet again at the Leaders Roundtable of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing on May 15, with five countries from five continents praising the city.

The global plaudits come on the back of the success the Guangdong capital had in March, after it broadcasted a week-long promotional video for the city in New York City's iconic Times Square.

At the roundtable, five letters of admiration as well as five symbolic flowers where presented to Guangzhou – kapok from Argentina, jasmine form Pakistan, lotus from Egypt, rose from the UK, and orchid from Singapore.

Five letters sent from five countries convey their best wishes to the Guangdong province capital for setting sail on the 21st Maritime Silk Road. [Photo provided by Guangzhou municipal party committee publicity bureau]

The flowers and letters also expressed good luck to Guangzhou, birthplace of the Maritime Silk Road, as it embarks on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Guangzhou is the birthplace of the Maritime Silk Road and nicknamed "Millennium Commercial City", according to the Wall Street Journal. The city has been playing a great role in connecting China with other countries and regions along the route.