The Beijing municipal government hosted an evening gala for more than 800 overseas Chinese and compatriots on the eve of China's National Day, Oct. 1.
Mayor Liu Qi briefed the guests from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan on the historic changes that the Chinese capital has made toward accelerating urbanization construction and improving people's living quality. The city's per capita gross domestic product has reached US$3,000 a year.
Some overseas Chinese from a delegation of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco said they have been away from the motherland for over 50 years, but can still feel their status, and that of all overseas Chinese, is closely related to that of the motherland.
Shee Kwan Lee, head of the delegation, said China's improved national strength, especially Beijing's winning of the 2008 Olympic Games and China's accession into the World Trade Organization, has won more respect for Chinese living abroad.
(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2002)
