CANBERRA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Bright red Chinese national flag was raised up into the sky Thursday morning at central Canberra where the clear Lake Burley Griffins mirrors the blue sky.
At Canberra's central square of International Flags, the Chinese embassy in Australia held a solemn ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Zhang Junsai, Chinese ambassador to Australia, said at the ceremony that "Today after 60 years of hard work, we can again proudly proclaim the Chinese people have stood up, more steadfast and more confident."
"It is now a nation of economic prosperity. It is a nation of social progress. It is a nation of better livelihood," he said.
Zhang said as a responsible country, China is doing what it can and plays its part on a wide range of issues on the world stage. China today is more than ever sincerely embracing the world.
"China's stability and prosperity is a blessing for the world and will enable Sino-Australian relations to grow stronger in the future."
Sam Wong, chair of Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, told Xinhua at the scene he is more than happy and excited to watch the rising of the Chinese national flag Thursday morning. "Achievements in the past 60 years are evidence of China's modern progress, root of our pride as overseas Chinese," he said.
Xie Qingfeng, a representative of Chinese student studying in Australia, said he could hardly express those excitement deep at heart. "My great honor to be here sending my sincere regards to my great motherland and I'm proud to grow up as a Chinese and witness China's prosperity today."
Thursday's ceremony has seen presence of all staff of the Chinese embassy, representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Australia. Approximately 200 Chinese chorused the national anthem at the ceremony on this special day.
