To celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the achievements of the Chinese athletes at the 30th London Summer Olympic Games and the 14th Paralympic Games, the UK Federation of Chinese Associations held the 7th “National Day Cup” British Chinese Golf Friendly on the suburbs of Northampton, England on September 4, 2012. Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and Madame Hu Pinghua attended the opening ceremony.

At 11 a.m., more than 80 Chinese compatriots held the Chinese national flag raising ceremony in the course. All the present compatriots lovingly saluted the bright five-star red flag with eyes as it slowly rose. The compatriots also discharged two rounds of fireworks, symbolizing “double happiness”, for celebration. After that, Ambassador Liu and Madame Hu posed for group photos with Li Wenxing, President of UK Federation of Chinese Associations, and all other participating compatriots. Ambassador Liu said that under the wise leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and with the joint efforts of all the Chinese people and overseas compatriots, China continued its gratifying progress in political, economic, cultural and social and other undertakings in this year. In particular, during the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the Chinese athletes made remarkable achievements with their unremitting efforts. They are the pride of the Chinese descendants and they have demonstrated China’s growing strength and the Chinese nation’s spirit of self-improvement. Over the years, the more than 700,000 compatriots in Britain have been actively integrating into the local community and striving to build a harmonious overseas Chinese community. They have become important contributors to the pluralistic society of Britain. Ambassador Liu hoped that the compatriots would continue their efforts and play a greater role in promoting the friendship and exchanges between China and the UK. The Ambassador said that, as the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival were approaching, he wished the participating compatriots a happy holiday and conveyed through them the festival greetings to all the Overseas Chinese in Britain.

The overseas Chinese have responded enthusiastically. They said that Ambassador Liu’s speech helped them to better understand the domestic situation and made everyone more proud of and encouraged by the prosperity of the motherland, and that they were ready to contribute their efforts to promoting the development of the China-UK relations.