SHANGHAI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- On a cruise on Shanghai's iconic Huangpu River, red was the prominent color at a special party held on Friday night to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Over 200 expats from nearly 30 countries and regions attended the event, which featured local delicacies, performances, and a multilingual chorus of "We Are the World".
They also watched a light show on the deck of the cruise, to be staged daily until July 4 to celebrate the Party's centenary.
"Shanghai is where the CPC started its 100-year journey," said Jing Ying, vice president of Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, which helped organize the event. "The Bund in Shanghai has witnessed the great achievements of the century-old CPC as well as the city's historical changes."
After moving to China nearly six years ago, Russian musician Nicolas Shamov took a liking to Chinese songs, which he has sung several times on stage in China.
"I like 'Reaching For,' a song from the movie, 'The Founding of a Republic'," said Shamov. "It is good music with very great lyrics, and is very close to everyone's heart. I feel proud when I sing it."
He plans to continue to stay in China and help further develop Sino-Russian cultural exchange.
Japanese entrepreneur Tsuneo Kobayashi first visited China in the 1970s and regarded himself as a "witness" to China's opening-up and reform.
"I was in Beijing negotiating a business project with a Chinese company when China initiated opening-up and reform. I could feel its impact on the Chinese society," said 79-year-old Kobayashi.
"It is noteworthy that the CPC has adhered to the path of opening-up and reform ever since, which is helping bring about transformative change in the country today," he said.
Justin O'Jack, chief representative of the China office of the University of Virginia, first visited China 28 years ago.
"My deepest impression, having been here over 25 years ago, was that it was a totally different China," said O'Jack, 51. "What I see now really is a new China."
He said he is impressed with what the CPC has accomplished in relatively short time, whether it's the development of the economy, the infrastructure, or the transportation.
"I could only imagine how much will be accomplished in the next hundred years," he said. "I hope China will continue to be prosperous and harmonious." Enditem
