When walking into the alleys of the Pre Catelan Hotel in Paris, the glowing red Chinese lanterns hanging over the lawn are the first things catching visitors' eyes.

On Monday night, some 1,500 guests, many of them senior French politicians, gathered at the hotel to offer congratulations to the People's Republic of China on the 60th anniversary of its founding.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon was overseas and unable to attend the reception, held by the Chinese embassy, but he was the first French leader to send a congratulatory message.

"I would like to express respect to the magnificent achievements made by China on its way to modernization and prosperity," Fillon said in a message sent to the Chinese embassy before the reception.

"France is glad to see that China is playing an important and indispensable role on the international stage, and we will continue to attach great importance to our comprehensive strategic partnership with China," he said.

Finance Minister Christine Lagarde was the first French government official to arrive at the reception.

"I am glad to be the first," Lagarde said with a warm smile. "And I would like to tell all my Chinese friends how much I am looking forward to my China trip in October."

Expressing great satisfaction with China-France economic ties, the minister said the two countries had carried out fruitful cooperation in railway, aviation and nuclear energy, adding they should also strengthen two-way investment while developing import and export trades.

French National Assembly Speaker Bernard Accoyer was outspoken in his congratulations as he stepped into the reception hall.

"First of all, I would like to say 'happy birthday' to the Chinese people during this great event. I sincerely wish the Chinese people will make greater achievements in areas such as culture and technology."

"I was touched by the passionate reception from the Chinese authorities," Accoyer said, recalling his visit to China last April. "I am looking forward to returning to China next year to attend Expo 2010 in Shanghai, and I wish it a great success just like the Beijing 2008 Olympics."

Former French President Jacques Chirac immediately became the focus of attention when he entered the reception hall.

"I love this country, always and deeply," he said. "I am full of respect and affection to China, as well as gratitude. Every time I went to China, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people."

"China has a long civilization that is quite amazing, and I feel very happy to join the celebration tonight," Chirac said.

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who visited China during the SARS period, also expressed his congratulation.

"The 60th birthday of (new) China, 30 years of reform and opening-up and 45 years of China-France diplomatic relations ... The 'birthdays' we should celebrate are more than one," Raffarin said.

"People are curious about China's economic growth mode as well as its concept of harmonious society... We wish China will maintain its development in the future," Raffarin said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2009)