NEW YORK, Sept. 20 -- Charlie Zhang flew from Cincinnati, a major city in the U.S. state of Ohio, to New York City on Thursday just to attend an evening gala marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Zhang, an IT engineer who migrated to the United States in 1986, was one of those who came from the farthest places for the reception held at the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

The three-hour event, which featured speeches, singing and dancing as well as delicious Chinese food, gathered hundreds of representatives from Chinese communities from all the 10 U.S. states for which the consulate general provides consular services.

These states include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.

"It's such an exciting occasion. We have every reason to celebrate! Decades back, to be honest, no one ever expected what China would be like today," Zhang said.

Cheers and applauses erupted once and again in the crowd when Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York, briefed the audience in his opening remarks on the achievements of China's economic, diplomatic, science and technology and business development in the past seven decades.

The senior diplomat also spoke highly of the efforts Chinese communities in the United States have made in promoting China-U.S. friendship and cooperation.

"I feel Chinese culture and performances are gaining more and more attention from the local audience here," said Yao Xueyan, a veteran conductor who started his music career in 1949 when the PRC was founded.

In his singing group of Uncle Yao's Chorus, there are quite many members of non-Chinese origin who can sing Chinese songs in perfect Mandarin, Yao said, adding few Americans could speak the Chinese language when he moved to the United States 33 years ago.

A packed calendar of festive events has been planned by the Chinese communities throughout the Big Apple's five boroughs toward Oct. 1, the day that marks the PRC's 70th founding anniversary.

More than 1,000 people joined a colorful and joyous parade winding through Manhattan's Chinatown with Chinese folk dancing and singing last weekend.