UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday voiced his sincere congratulations to the Chinese government and people on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, speaking highly of China's great achievement in political, economic and social fields, including poverty eradication, peace development and great contributions to the world peace and security.

Ban, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua at the UN Headquarters in New York, said "I sincerely congratulate (the Chinese government and people on) the 60th anniversary of (the founding of) the People's Republic of China and I congratulate again and commend highly the achievement of which the Chinese government and people under the leadership of President Hu Jintao have achieved."

The People's Republic of China was established on October 1, 1949.

The secretary-general also spoke highly of what the Chinese government and people have achieved during the last 60 years in the international community.

"China has lifted millions of people from poverty," Ban said. "China has achieved great economic and social development -- now, marking the second largest economy in the world."

"China has been contributing greatly to peace and security of the world by dispatching peacekeeping operations," he said. "All of these political, social and economic achievements should be a model role for many developing countries who are still aspiring to achieve such development."

"I again hope that China will continue to lead this world with a strong commitment for peace development and human rights of the world," he said. "As the secretary-general of the United Nations, I highly value my working together with the Chinese leadership and people in promoting the spirit and letters of the Charter of the United Nations."

"China is one of the most important member states as a one of the (five) permanent members of the Security Council, as one of the fastest growing world economies," he said.

"China and the United States, together, you can make a great contribution in overcoming the international financial and economic crisis, in addressing climate change, in meeting the targets of the Millennium Development Goals," he said.

"These are what we expect of China under the leadership of President Hu Jintao to make a strong contribution," he said. "China is also an emerging peacekeeping contributing country. I have been meeting many young men and women of China, who have been dedicated to preserving peace and security around the world."

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2009)