SAN FRANCISCO, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of mothers and women from the local Chinese community Saturday celebrated Mother's Day, which falls on Sunday, at a reception hosted by the Chinese Consulate General here.

Chinese Consul General Luo Linquan said that Mother's Day, which was established to pay tribute and express gratitude to mothers, highlights the eternal theme of maternal love in human society.

He praised the women, who represented various professions, for their numerous contributions to the Chinese community in the Bay Area, as well as to programs that benefit society, to the overseas promotion of traditional Chinese culture, and to the process of Chinese national unification.

"Their selfless devotion deserves much respect and love from other people," he said.

He urged them to play a unique role in advancing the friendship between the United States and China and to fight for the welfare of their fellow Chinese Americans.

A woman who participated and identified herself as Lee said she hopes her children, as the next generation of Chinese Americans, will continue to do their part to achieve a more amicable and closer U.S.-China relationship.

There were songs, dances and a piano solo to honor the mothers in the audience.?