MACAO, Oct. 1 -- A cocktail party was held here on Sunday to celebrate the 57th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), celebrities and representatives from all walks of life in Macao attended the event.

Ho told the gathering in his speech that China has overcome numerous challenges and difficulties in the past 57 years to build its glory and to open its new era.

Ho said China has initiated the new development scheme for the next five years and the nation will achieve a brighter future.

He called on Macao's public servants and the public to carry on the tradition of "love the country, love Macao," and the spirit of reform and responsibility, in a bid to usher the region into a more promising future.