People participate in a parade to celebrate the upcoming Chinese National Day in Chinatown of Chicago, the United States, on Sept.15, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

Best wishes to China and the U.S.! A parade of bands, floats and lion and dragon dances in Chicago's Chinatown was held to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the PRC, as well as the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic ties.

CHICAGO, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of people crowded the streets in Chicago's Chinatown on Sunday to attend the Chinese National Day Parade, to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.

The parade featured 68 bands, 23 floats, as well as a lion and dragon dance. Volunteers in the American Chinese community and performers from other social groups joined the parade.

A band participate in a parade to celebrate the upcoming Chinese National Day in Chinatown of Chicago, the United States, on Sept.15, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

Speaking at the celebration, Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian expressed the hope that China and the United States work together to promote mutual respect and strive for win-win results.

Since the founding of the PRC, tremendous changes have taken place in China, creating miracles in the development of human history, Zhao said. Despite many challenges in the past forty years, good bilateral relations have brought about huge benefits to the people of the two countries and made important contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Zheng Zheng, chairwoman of Chinese American Association of Greater Chicago (CAAGC), said the founding of the PRC in 1949 was a major event in history.

"Today China is a very dynamic country with great success in economic development. As overseas Chinese, we feel proud of our mother country," Zheng added.

Besides the parade, the Chinese community in Chicago will organize several high-level concerts this month to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. ■