Chinese embassies in the Maldives, Senegal and Qatar hosted National Day receptions for the 75th birthday of the People's Republic of China, which fell on Oct 1, with dignitaries and representatives speaking highly of China's developmental achievements.
The Chinese embassy in the Maldives held a reception to mark the anniversary on Monday, drawing more than 300 guests, including Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, other senior officials, representatives from the country's business community and academia, as well as people from Chinese-funded companies.
Muizzu sent his best wishes to the Chinese people at the event, saying that China has demonstrated to the world the power of strategic nation-building and unity.
"China's rise is not just its own story - it is a source of inspiration for all developing nations, including the Maldives. Through the reforms initiated under visionary leadership, China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, creating unprecedented prosperity and becoming the world's second largest economy. For us in the Maldives, China's transformation is a powerful testament to the possibilities that emerge when nations dare to dream big and act decisively," said the president.
The Chinese embassy in Senegal held the reception on Monday at the Museum of Black Civilizations that was designed and constructed by Chinese companies.
The event was attended by Chinese ambassador Xiao Han, Senegalese Minister of Armed Forces Birame Diop, as well as diplomatic envoys from other countries, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese in the African country.
Diop praised the honest friendship and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in his speech.
"On behalf of His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, head of state of Senegal, and the people of Senegal, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, and to the people of China. We gather here on the occasion of China's National Day, which once again demonstrates the sincere friendship and exemplary cooperation between our two countries," said Diop.
The National Day reception held at the Chinese embassy in Qatar on Monday gathered more than 600 attendees including Chinese ambassador Cao Xiaolin and Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani.
The attendees wished China prosperity and looked forward to the continuous development of China-Qatar relations.
"As far as the economic achievements I concern during last over 70 years by China, it is a miracle. And I won't say miracle, actually it is a hard work and efforts of the leadership and the people themselves that they are united, achieving this historical, remarkable economic achievements," said Ashraf Siddiqui, president and chief editor of Asian Telegraph Qatar.
A local Chinese learner also expressed his sincere wishes to friends thousands of kilometers away in Chinese language.
"I have learned Chinese for also most one year now, and I learned many things about China. I would like to congratulate Chinese people in Chinese language. (Switch to Chinese) Hello China! Happy National Day," said Yusuf, a Qatari university student.
Chinese embassies host National Day receptions
Many tourists are enjoying themselves in a gastronomic adventure tasting regional specialties across China's diverse food map, while others are staying with their families or going out for fun in the week-long National Day holiday.
In Jilin City, nestled in the northeastern province of Jilin, the Wula Manchu Hotpot is drawing crowds of food enthusiasts, locals and tourists.
This traditional dish features a meticulously prepared chicken broth, enhanced with Chinese herbs such as ginseng, tall gastrodiae, and Chinese Angelica.
"It's been around for so many years, and it tastes just great," said Xia Xin, a diner.
"Wula Hotpot is a traditional kind of hotpot. For us northeasterners, it's warm and happy to have hot pot with the family. I've tried hot pots in many other places in China, but I never regret eating Wula Hotpot (as one of the best)," said Pei Mingcai, another diner.
The hot pot's enduring popularity speaks to its deep cultural roots -- the nice, cozy moments with literally heart-warming food and reunited family and friends in cooling autumn weather.
In Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China's northwestern corner, the iconic Xinjiang rice pilaf is getting a fruity makeover. While traditionally made with three key ingredients, namely lamb, onions, and carrots, innovative chefs are introducing new flavors to this classic dish.
Shieli Aymar, 28, has been a chef for almost six years. Standing at the forefront of this "culinary evolution", his specialty is cantaloupe pilaf.
"We need to pick the 'unmarried' young lamb because their fresh meat is soft and lean. This makes our rice pilaf delicious. The essence of making pilaf is to select the best ingredients," he said.
"We've been trying to take on a fruity pilaf flavor with the taste of fresh cantaloupe. It's a must to put in cantaloupe, it is a local special in Xinjiang," the chef said.
In Jingjiang, a county-level city in east China's Jiangsu Province, tourists are lining up for a taste of the region's famous crab soup dumplings.
This delicacy, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Jiangsu, is drawing food pilgrims from across the country. Local soup dumpling restaurants are crowded with food pilgrims since very early morning.
"I've heard from my friends that you've got to 'open a window' and drink the soup in the dumpling first. I came to try the crab soup dumpling today, and it is so tasty," said Yang Ye, a tourist.
"Both the soup and the meat taste really good," said Diao Shuyun, a young tourist.
The popularity of these dumplings has local restaurants working overtime.
"Our daily sales of soup dumplings is about 600 to 800 steamer baskets. We have a total of eight chefs in the restaurant, who start the preparation at four o'clock in the morning, and keep working until 22:30," said Wang Kai, operator of a soup dumpling store.
With crab roe, crab meat and chicken soup inside, the local delicacy has captured the hearts and taste buds of food lovers nationwide.
"The Jingjiang soup dumpling features thin dough skin, heavy juicy filling with lots of crab meat. These are what make Jingjiang soup dumplings special," said Tao Jinliang, an inheritor of the culinary craftsmanship.
Data shows that about 30 million crab soup dumplings are consumed each year in Jingjiang.
People across China savor local culinary delights in National Day holiday
