CHICAGO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Overseas Chinese should observe laws of their countries of residence and become part of the local community, a senior Chinese official said here Thursday.

"Merge with the local community, reward the local community, and contribute to the local community," Qiu Yuanping, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China, said at a meeting with members of the local Chinese community.

She encouraged local Chinese to promote understanding and friendship between China and the United States.

"The biggest beneficiaries of China and the U.S. maintaining good relationship are overseas Chinese," she said.

Qiu also called on overseas Chinese to follow the development of their native country, as China's development is closely related with the interests of all overseas Chinese.

Qiu is leading a delegation to convey the Chinese government's Lunar New Year greetings to overseas Chinese. The delegation has been to Panama, as well as the U.S. city of Atlanta. Chicago is the delegation's last stop.

Prepared by chefs from China, a New Year banquet will be laid out for hundreds of local Chinese in Chicago Friday.