News

National Day celebrated at Chinese embassies around world

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-30 15:36

BEIJING - Chinese embassies around the world held receptions and other activities to mark the 61st birthday of the People's Republic of China.

In Bulgaria, a reception held by the Chinese Embassy on Wednesday was attended by more than 300 guests, including Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces General Simeon Hristov Simeonov, deputy ministers, members of the Bulgarian Parliament, and foreign diplomats.

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Addressing the reception, Guo Yezhou, the new Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria said China and Bulgaria enjoy traditional friendship. Guo, who arrived in Sofia on Aug 16, said he had been impressed by the Bulgarian people's hospitality and friendship.

He said that his colleagues and he himself are looking forward to further strengthening cooperation with their Bulgarian partners.

In Belarus, a reception held on Tuesday evening drew more than 180 guests from Belarusian government institutions, business communities, diplomatic corps and other circles.

Chinese ambassador Lu Guicheng hailed a series of achievements scored by China, but at the same time pointed out that China is still a developing country facing many problems and challenges.

He said China will steadily boost the friendly ties with Belarus, and he believed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's visit to China in October will contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko lauded China's development and the role it plays on the international arena.

To steadily consolidate and develop the Belarus-China relations is always the Belarusian government's diplomatic priority, he stressed, adding that Belarus is ready to join hands with China in more fields.

In Denmark, a grand reception on Wednesday was attended by around 200 guests.

Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Xie Hangsheng said China highly values its relationship with Denmark and hopes the two sides can enhance their mutually beneficial cooperation.

The ambassador said China is committed to following the path of peaceful development and is ready to join hands with the international community to cope with global challenges and promote world peace, development and prosperity.

The guests there also watched with interest a photo exhibition and a documentary film on the Shanghai Expo.

At a reception in Pyongyang, Liu Hongcai, Chinese ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), congratulated the successful holding of the conference of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the reelection of Kim Jong-il as the party general secretary.

He said China will steadily cement the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and the DPRK.

Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of DPRK's Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, said that to steadily consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relationship is the consistent stand of the WPK and the DPRK government.

Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Chengwen hosted a reception at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum on Tuesday, which was attended by the representative of the Sudanese president, Minister of Finance and National Economy Ali Mahmoud, Minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara Dousa, Minister of Environment Joseph Malwal and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Halima Hassaballa, among others.

Li commended the progressive Sino-Sudanese relations, saying that China would continue its strong support for Sudan, particularly with regard to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), reached between north and south Sudan, and the Darfur issue.

He urged the Sudanese government partners, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to solve their outstanding issues through dialogue and understanding.

He also urged the international community to respect Sudan's sovereignty and the will of its people, saying "whatever the results of the south Sudan referendum is, China's relations and cooperation will continue and develop."

At a reception at the residence of Chinese Mission to the United Nations, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday hailed China's strong support to the world body, saying he looked forward to his upcoming visit to Shanghai Expo in late October.

"I respect the Chinese people, and I am very much grateful for the strong support and friendship Chinese people and government have shown to me. That has become a great source of encouragement to me," Ban told Xinhua at the reception.

Calling China "a global power" and "one of the most important member states of the United Nations," Ban said he needs China's support and would like to "work very closely together with Chinese people and government."

He also spoke highly of the Shanghai World Expo, which is running from May 1 to Oct 31.

"The Shanghai Expo has won great praise from the international community and I am looking forward to my own visit to Shanghai Expo later next month," Ban said.

UN General Assembly President Joseph Deiss, ambassadors from the United States, Britain, Russia, France and other countries to the UN, joined some 600 guests at the reception.

Receptions were also held by Chinese embassies and consulates in Madagascar, India, Serbia, Brazil, Mexico, and Kenya, among others.

A flag-raising ceremony was held Wednesday on Wall Street to celebrate China's 61st birthday.