China's UN mission holds reception for PRC's 77th founding anniversary

China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) held a reception on Tuesday evening in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), ahead of the country's National Day on Oct. 1.

The reception brought together more than 400 guests, including senior UN officials and representatives from over 100 countries.

Addressing the gathering, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, addressed the event, while attendees praised China's remarkable achievements over the past 77 years and its commitment to global multilateralism.

"The Chinese people have proven to the world that when they put their minds to something and make a proper plan, it will come into reality as soon as possible. We are amazed at the progress. I myself used to be my country's ambassador to China a few years ago, and I had the opportunity of going back recently and I was just amazed at the progress in Beijing and some of the other cities," said Earle Courtenay Rattray, chef de cabinet to the UN secretary-general.

Guests highlighted China's advocate role for win-win cooperation, noting how it shares development outcomes through initiatives such as South-South cooperation, which promote global growth and strengthen the UN system.

"For all the history of achievements and for the rising assets of China that they are sharing with the world through South-South cooperation -- I'm the director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, so we do have a long-standing partnership with China and it's extremely impactful," said Dima Al-Khatib, director of UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

"China is willing to offer options of cooperation on the regional level, on the continental level and intercontinental level, and this is highly appreciated in the whole world," said Srgjan Kerim, president of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly.

"[China is] a permanent member of the Security Council and a very active defender of multilateralism, so the role is essential," said Guy Ryder, undersecretary-general for policy in the Executive Office of the secretary-general.

Attendees also offered heartfelt congratulations to the Chinese government and people on the eve of National Day.

"On behalf of the Secretary-General and the UN family, I'm pleased to represent all of us here today and to wish congratulations to all the Chinese people on this auspicious occasion," said Rattray.

"Well, firstly, warm congratulations on this very important 77th anniversary. It's a great and historic moment. We wish you peace and prosperity in this complicated world," said Ryder.

"We also want to wish the Chinese people all the best, all kinds of success on this anniversary," said Ernesto Soberon Guzman, permanent representative of Cuba to the UN.

"For prosperity, harmony and the best for all people of China," said Movses Abelian, under-secretary-general for General Assembly and Conference Management.

China's UN mission holds reception for PRC's 77th founding anniversary

While floodwaters began to recede across parts of Bangkok on Wednesday, thousands of residents in the capital's low-lying suburbs remained marooned, grappling with severe disruptions to electricity, clean water, and essential services in neighborhoods accessible only by boat.

A severe nationwide flooding swept through 42 Thai provinces between Sept 16 and 28, impacting 1.8 million people and leaving at least 8 people dead, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Officials reported that 28 provinces, primarily across Thailand's central, northern, eastern, and northeastern regions, remain affected by the disaster.

In the Lat Krabang district on Bangkok's eastern edge, just kilometers from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, streets remain submerged deep enough to swallow cars.

For the tens of thousands of people living there, the danger is not the rising water, but the grueling daily struggle to survive.

"It's devastating. Nobody can make a living. I have no money right now; all I have left is myself," said Mu Boonpitaksorn, a local resident.

With roads submerged and utility lines cut, small boats have become the communities' only connection to the outside world, delivering food, drinking water and medicine while serving as a crucial lifeline for evacuations.

"They are losing hope. That's what I think. This is one of the largest disaster area for the moment. People with disability, elderly people, family with younger children, it's much difficult for them to stay on into the community as they used to," said Weerasak Kowsurat, secretary general of the Friends in Need (of "PA") Volunteers Foundation.

Although temporary shelters have been established across the capital to offer safety, food, and dry ground to the displaced, evacuees face the reality of walking away from everything they could not carry.

"It's all gone. I have nothing left. Absolutely nothing. Fridge, washing machine, fan, air conditioner… nothing left at all. Inside my home is all mud. It's too much, it's beyond despair," said Sumontha Huanarvorn, an evacuee.

Even as Bangkok gradually dries out, the floodwaters continue to separate families from their homes, belongings, and routines, leaving residents waiting desperately for roads to reappear, and hoping they will eventually lead back to the life they knew before the deluge.

Bangkok suburbs endure daily struggle as floodwaters linger