Virtual receptions kicked off in the US this week to celebrate the forthcoming 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

At a virtual celebration held by the Chinese Consulate General in New York on Tuesday, Maurice Greenberg, chairman of Starr Insurance Cos and a China Reform Friendship Medal recipient, said he has been traveling to China and doing business there since 1975.

The relationship has benefited his company and American citizens as well as Chinese companies and the Chinese people, he said. 

"It's important that both countries commit to an ongoing dialogue to strengthen our relationship and ensure economic prosperity for both the US and China," Greenberg said. 

China's National Day is Saturday, Oct 1.

Steve Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR), said that as China marks the anniversary of the PRC's founding, the NCUSCR is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Shanghai communique. The  organization is also hosting the Chinese national ping-pong team's visit to the US.

"The Shanghai Communique laid the political foundation for productive relations. And the exchange of young ping-pong players launched people-to-people exchanges, which have produced so much benefit for the Chinese and American people," Orlins said at the virtual event.

Ambassador Susan Elliott, president and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP), said the organization has long been committed to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. 

"Cooperation between the United States and China, we believe is very important and we are committed to maintaining good connections with the Chinese people," she said.

New York University President Andrew Hamilton reviewed the establishment of NYU Shanghai and said the university is proud of the "wonderful partnership" it has established with China, Shanghai and Chinese universities. "Global higher education is a source of scholarly strength," he said.

"The flourishing of NYU Shanghai is a reminder to us all of the value and importance of bringing together students and scholars from around the world to learn, think and study, and it reinforces what great advancements can be made through partnership," Hamilton said. 

Joseph Polisi, president emeritus and chief China officer of the Juilliard School, said the bilateral relationship between China and the US "is of vital importance to not only the well-being of the Chinese and American people, but also for the prosperity of individuals around the world". 

"Juilliard and Tianjin Juilliard are at the forefront of an effort to advance and improve this bilateral relationship through people-to-people cultural exchanges in the fields of music, dance and drama," said Polisi.

It is noteworthy that a significant percentage of the doctoral students at Stevens Institute of Technology are Chinese, said Stevens President Nariman Farvardin.

He noted that many Chinese scholars receive awards for high achievement in education and research every year. "They're following in the path of many of our own remarkable faculty and academic leaders, many of whom are of Chinese origin," Farvardin said.

Michael Young, president of the New York Film Academy; Greg Miller, director of the Nassau County Museum of Art; and Charles Riley, executive director of Dance Parade New York were among those who sent congratulations at the event. 

China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations also held a virtual reception Wednesday to celebrate the anniversary.

"As a founding member of the UN and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has been a strong buttress to the blue flag (of the UN)," said Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, during the reception.

Korosi congratulated China on its achievements in promoting development and prosperity.