The People's Republic of China is poised to turn 63 on Oct. 1 and its embassy on International Place held a well-attended reception last night to mark the occasion.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yesui presided over the event and offered welcoming remarks to various diplomatic, military, and civilian attendees from a variety of countries. Under Secretary of State Patrick Kennedy also spoke and echoed the the themes of his Chinese hosts by emphasizing the need for continued bilateral cooperation in trade and security issues.

The food was fantastic and included salted duck, Peking duck, spring rolls, stir-fryed brocali, spicey beef, salmon, and shrimp. Your correspondant went back for seconds!

The "new" Chinese Embassy opened in July 2008 in time for the Beijing Olympics. The building is welcoming, elegant, and clearly demonstrative of China's emerging influence in Washington and throughout the world.