Reception Marks National Day In Beijing 　　A grand reception was held in Beijing on September 29 evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, sponsored by the General Office of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. 　　Attending the reception were Chinese leaders including Li Ruihuan, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, and vice premier Qian Qichen, as well as more than 800 people representing various walks of life. 　　Ye Xuanping, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, gave a speech and first expressed sympathy and conveyed condolence to the victims of the recent Taiwan earthquakes. 　　Earth-shaking changes have taken place in China in the past half century, Ye said, adding that the country's comprehensive strength has been increased, people's living standards have been greatly improved, the country has made all-round progress, the unity of all nationalities has been further tightened, and the country's image abroad has been dramatically improved. 　　Ye emphasized the importance of seizing the current opportunity, continuing the reform, and opening China wider to the outside world in line with Deng Xiaoping Theory, to build socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century. 　　Ye also indicated that no attempt to split the country will succeed, and the reunification of the entire country is not only a desire but also a sacred task for all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots. 　　He called for efforts to realize complete reunification at an early date. (Xinhua) HomeNews 1999-09-30 Page4 Full Story in Chinese