Author: Zhang Jingxinyue, PRC-Qualified Lawyer｜Singapore Registered Foreign Lawyer
Subtitle: Founder of Zhongxin Legal News, Lawyer Zhang Jingxinyue, was invited to attend the reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Note: On the evening of 21 September 2026, the Chinese Embassy in Singapore held a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development, attended and delivered remarks on behalf of the Singapore Government. More than 800 guests attended, including Members of Parliament and representatives of Singapore government departments, chambers of commerce, the Chinese community, academia, the media, culture and education sectors, diplomatic envoys stationed in Singapore, Chinese enterprises and international students.
Founder of Zhongxin Legal News, Lawyer Zhang Jingxinyue, was invited to attend the reception.
01 More Than 800 Guests Celebrate the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
Ambassador Cao Zhongming reviewed China’s achievements during the 77 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China and introduced recent developments in China’s economy, technological innovation and green transition since the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan.
Speaking about China-Singapore relations, Ambassador Cao stated that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the all-round, high-quality and forward-looking partnership between China and Singapore has made new progress. High-level exchanges between the two countries remain close, and cooperation in various fields continues to advance. China is prepared to continue deepening political mutual trust with Singapore, expand trade and investment, and develop new areas of cooperation.
Minister Indranee Rajah conveyed the Singapore Government’s congratulations on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. She spoke positively about China’s achievements over the past decades and said that high-level exchanges between Singapore and China remained close and cooperation in various fields continued to expand. She expressed confidence in the continued development of the all-round, high-quality and forward-looking partnership between the two countries.
Minister Indranee also noted that Singapore would assume the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN the following year. She looked forward to closer coordination and cooperation with China to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
02 National Anthems, Reciprocal Toasts and the National Day Cake
At the beginning of the reception, all guests stood for the national anthems. Singapore’s national anthem, “Majulah Singapura”, was played first, followed by China’s national anthem, “March of the Volunteers”.
The order in which the two national anthems are played follows relevant diplomatic protocol. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China’s Provisions on the Playing and Singing of the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China at Diplomatic Activities provide that Chinese diplomatic missions abroad should play the Chinese national anthem at national day receptions. When a bilateral diplomatic event is hosted by China, the foreign national anthem is generally played first, followed by the Chinese national anthem, subject to exceptional circumstances. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described this arrangement as the customary “guest first, host second” principle in bilateral settings.
Accordingly, at the National Day reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, Singapore’s national anthem was played first, followed by China’s national anthem, consistent with this protocol.
A toast ceremony followed. Ambassador Cao Zhongming raised a glass to Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, while Minister Indranee Rajah raised a glass to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Toasts at a National Day reception differ from ordinary toasts at a private dinner. The representatives of the two countries offer their respective greetings to the other country’s head of state, a customary protocol arrangement at formal diplomatic events. The heads of state do not need to be present; the principal guests represent their respective countries in expressing good wishes and respect.
The order of speeches, national anthems and toasts at National Day receptions varies across countries. The specific arrangements depend on national protocol and the needs of the event. However, reciprocal greetings to the other country’s head of state are customary at many formal National Day receptions.
Ambassador Cao Zhongming, Minister Indranee Rajah and other principal guests then jointly cut the National Day cake celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Jointly cutting a National Day cake is primarily a celebratory arrangement commonly seen at National Day receptions held by diplomatic missions abroad. It is usually completed by a representative of the host and the principal guest from the receiving state, adding a festive atmosphere after the formal protocol segment.
03 Peking Opera, Robots and On-Site Exhibitions
This year’s reception also featured several distinctive activities.
Peking Opera performers from China and Singapore jointly presented a flash performance and medley. An embodied-intelligence robot appeared as a “xiangsheng performer”, using technology to present a traditional form of Chinese language art. Tourism and overseas-Chinese correspondence exhibitions were also arranged outside the reception hall, attracting many guests.
The Embassy also prepared books including Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Volume V, and A Documentary Record of Governance in the New Era, Volume I. After the formal event, guests from various sectors continued their conversations and took photographs, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
The reception was held in a solemn yet warm atmosphere. Guests from China, Singapore and various sectors gathered together to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
May China prosper and enjoy peace and security.
May the friendship between China and Singapore endure forever.
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Sources:
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore, “The Embassy in Singapore Holds a Grand Reception Marking the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China”
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Provisions on the Playing and Singing of the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China at Diplomatic Activities
This article is for information only and does not constitute formal legal advice.
This article is general information and not legal advice. Specific matters require assessment by appropriately qualified professionals.