BEIRUT - An impressive reception was held on Sunday at Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China which falls on Oct 1.

The reception, attended by numerous political figures and diplomats, was opened by Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian.

"The year of 2018 is a significant year for China in the New Era. This year marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up for China," Wang said.

"China's reform and opening-up has not only profoundly changed the country but also made significant contributions to the development of the world and humanity," he explained.

Wang also hailed the continuously enhanced exchanges and cooperation between China and Lebanon under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative, formally known as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Africa and Europe along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.

"Lebanon is China's partner to construct the Belt and Road," the Chinese ambassador noted.

On the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Wang expressed China's readiness to "continue to support the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as well as the social and economic development of Lebanon."

"We are ready to work with Lebanon to constantly deepen practical cooperation between our two countries, moving the bilateral ties up to a new level," he said.

Wang referred to the ongoing project of the new Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music as "a symbol of friendship" between China and Lebanon and "a model for the Belt and Road cooperation."

The China-funded conservatory, which covers an area of 25,000 square meters, is being built in Dbayeh, a town in the northern suburb of Lebanon's capital Beirut, at a cost of 31.9 million US dollars.

Meanwhile, Lebanese caretaker Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf, who attended the reception on behalf of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, said the development of relations between Lebanon and China will not only benefit Lebanon but the entire region as well.

"The presence of China next to Lebanon through excellent relations would help both countries and the entire region," Sarraf noted.