At a reception at the residence of Chinese Mission to the United Nations, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 29 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 on September 29 on Wall Street to celebrate China's 61st birthday.

Source: Xinhua

Editor: Liu Fang