China has made remarkable progresses in all fields since the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949, says Mr. Liu Guijin, China's ambassador to South Africa, while hosting more than 600 guests on September 29 on the occasion of China's 57^th National Day.

Although great achievements having been made in the past 57 years, China is still a low income developing country and is working hard to build a moderately affluent society in an all-round way, adds the ambassador.

With the Forum on China-Africa Forum (FOCAC) Being Summit to be held historically in early November, ambassador Liu expresses great confidence and optimism in further deepening China-South Africa and China-Africa friendly cooperation. The upcoming Beijing Summit is one of the major events in China-Africa relations this year after the release of China's African Policy in January and visits to some African countries by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao in this April and June successively.

South African celebrities present at the reception include Ms. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, the Minister of Pubic Service and Administration, Mr. Jackie Selebi, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, and Ms. Frene Ginwala, former Speaker of the National Assembly.