On the evening of October 21st, the annual reception in honor of Foreign Diplomatic Missions to China firstly took place in Beijing Subcenter. The Diplomats to China from more than 120 countries and representatives of international organizations in China, along with their spouses, attended the reception upon invitation.
Before the reception, foreign guests visited the Millennium Forest of Watching located at the south of Subcenter’s administrative office, where they viewed its planning exhibition.
On the night, a formation comprising 500 drones performed a glowing show to write down best wishes for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the New China and Beijing in the New Era. Then, Beijing subcenter made it debut in the world successfully amid the praises of foreign diplomats to China.
This year’s event features the largest number of foreign guests ever since the first reception in 2013. Beijing subcenter has been renowned among most of foreign diplomats to China, but it was the first time for them to visit there personally. In Wenchang Bower at the peak of the Millennium Forest of Watching, the planning and and construction of subcenter were showcased through photos.
Chen Jining, mayor of Beijing, extended his thanks to embassies and international organizations to China who have all along been caring about and supporting Beijing’s construction and development. Chen said that a grand celebration for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was held at Tiananmeng Square on October 1st, presenting a new image of China as a major country that stands tall and firm in the East after 70 years of profound changes. Beijing, as a capital city of China, has also undergone great changes regarding economic scale, development quality and welfare of local residents. The average life expectancy has increased from 52.8 years to 82.2 years, the average schooling years of people from 5.3 years to 12.5 years. Nowadays, Beijing is radiating new vigor and vitality as a city for more than 3000 years and capital city for more than 860 years.
“We are happy and proud to live in such a great, peaceful, open, safe and well-planned city in the world.” said Abdullah Saleh Al Saadi, Omani Ambassador to China.
During the event, the diplomats took souvenir photos in beautiful scenery and communicated with each other with compliments. Gabriele Feigl, minister of Austrian Embassy to China, remarked that it is worthwhile for many cities in the world to draw upon Beijing’s advanced concepts of governance as the subcenter has grand buildings and pleasant environment. William Klein, minister counselor of the US Embassy to China, said that the hospitality of Beijing people impresses him and his family most during three-year stay in Beijing. When visiting the subcenter, he was truly amazed by a changing Beijing.
In addition to the pleasant greenness, scientific performances have also left a deep impression on foreign, diplomats. A formation of 500 drones designed by Beijing Zerotech offered a light show in the night sky with glorious and vibrant pictures and letters, be they “Welcome to Beijing”, logo of the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, “I love you, China”, Beijing Daxing International Airport, 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic mascots Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon. Every shift in the light show has received warm cheers at the scene. Besides, the final colourful letters “Gather in Subcenter and Chase Dream in the New Era” hit a high spot.
“Like this city, the whole performance features science and technology. I was told before that one should not blink his eyes in Beijing in case he miss new changes here. It is true,” said Baudelaire Ndong Ella, Gabon Ambassador to China. When it comes to the impression of Beijing, he expressed that he was proud to be here as Beijing has seen a bluer sky, smoother transportation and more conformable life. All of these are attributed to the efforts of the Bejing Municipal Committee of the CPC and Bejing municipal government.
The event concluded amid the Children Choir’s performance We are all dream chasers. Besides, on behalf of foreign diplomats to China, Abdullah Saleh Al Saadi, ambassador of Sultanate of Oman, expressed his best wishes to Beijing: we are assured that Beijing will embrace a bright and promising future. Meanwhile, he is looking forward to witnessing more important activities in Beijing, such as the 2022 Olympic and Winter Games. It is hoped that Beijing will yield greater outcomes.