Chinese community in Houston celebrates motherland's National Day

The Chinese community in Houston held a flag-raising ceremony on Sunday to mark the upcoming 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Waving Chinese flags and banners, more than 100 people gathered at the square of the Chinese Civic Center, a non-profit organization built to strengthen Houston's Chinese community, to celebrate their motherland's National Day, which falls on Oct. 1.

The crowd was packed with Chinese and Chinese Americans at all ages, from grey-haired seniors, the first generation of immigrants, to toddlers who can barely speak a word of Mandarin.

At 9:30 a.m. CST (Central Standard Time USA, 1530 GMT), a Chinese national flag was raised by several young students with the accompaniment of the national anthem, while the crowds stood in solemn silence.

Dragon dance, a form of Chinese traditional dance, and Chinese songs were performed and sung subsequently by pupils and adults to wish China a happy birthday. The ceremony ended with a chorus of all attendees of the ceremony singing Ode to the Motherland.

Chinese Consul General in Houston Xu Erwen thanked overseas Chinese for their contribution to the enhancement of the China-U.S. relations.

China and the United States have enjoyed a healthy and stable relationship in recent years, Xu said, in part thanks to overseas Chinese's efforts and contribution.

Later in the day, a grand gala attended by nearly 1,000 people was held in Marriott hotel in Sugar Land, a city in southwest Houston area, to celebrate China's National Day. Participants included diplomats, entrepreneurs, congressmen and city officials.

Texas State Governor Rick Perry and Houston Mayor Annise Parker sent letters of greetings.

On the occasion an award named "Distinguished Friend of China" was given to a county sheriff and a police chief for their contribution to the safety of the Chinese community in Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States.

Houston became famous among common Chinese people when basketball star Yao Ming joined Rockets in 2003. Today Houston is home to a large Chinese community estimated at hundreds of thousands. A nonstop flight between Houston and Beijing was opened by Air China in July.