The Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) held a grand reception on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1.

Some 500 guests attended the reception hosted by Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Yesui. Among the guests were UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN General Assembly President Ali Treki, ambassadors and diplomats from other permanent missions to the UN and other senior UN officials.

Extending his warmest congratulations on the occasion, Ban said he was "deeply grateful" to Chinese President Hu Jintao for his tremendous input at the UN summit meetings last week.

As one of the most important members of the world body, China had made remarkable contributions to the UN, Ban told reporters.

"I sincerely hope that with the increased economic capacity and democratic maturity, China will contribute further to addressing multiple crises which we are now facing, such as climate change, development and food security and (the) international financial crisis," he said.

Also attending the reception, US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said she was pleased to be able to join and celebrate the anniversary with Chinese colleagues.

Rice was optimistic while talking about future China-US cooperation within the UN. "We are in (a) good place, working hard and strengthening our cooperation in many areas, and I am very hopeful," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2009)