Chinese and U.S. officials, and members of several peace groups rang a "harmony bell" on the Capitol Hill Thursday to mark the upcoming International Day of Peace, which falls on Sept. 21.

Both Zheng Zeguang, Minister at the Chinese Embassy to the United States, and John Conyers, Chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, stressed the importance of world peace at the bell-ringing ceremony on the West Lawn of the Capitol Hill.

"The concept of world harmony reflects the core value of China's domestic and foreign policy, and China will stick to the path of peaceful development and contribute to the creation of a harmonious world," said Zheng.

The minister said China always wishes to work together with the United States for world peace.

Conyers said the event is aimed to urge everyone to take part in the peace movement, and enhance friendship and cooperation through peace.

He also expressed appreciation for China's efforts in promoting world peace.

The bell, known as the Harmony Bell for Peace, was crafted in China and served as a gift from China to mark the United Nations' 60th anniversary in 2005.

The metal for the bell was made from casings of ammunition, which was donated by the Chinese military and combined with the recycled scrap metal collected and donated by school children.

The measurements of the bell is 135 cm high and 60 cm in diameter.

The event was organized by a number of peace-advocacy nongovernmental groups, including the World Harmony Foundation, World Peace Charity Foundation and the Global Family Foundation.

Organizers said they plan to show the bell around the world in a peace-advocacy journey called "Olympic Peace Trip," which will eventually bring the bell to China on the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  

Editor: Donald