US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday extended his congratulations on the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The top US diplomat said his congratulations was on behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States.

"The people of the United States and the people of China enjoy a warm friendship, strengthened by work together to overcome some of the toughest challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region and the world," Kerry said in a statement, one day after Chinese President Xi Jinping wound up his week-long state visit to the US and meetings at the United Nations.

"Over the last year, including during the state visit of President Xi last week, we have shown how much we can accomplish through cooperation," Kerry said.

Kerry cited achievements to bring the two peoples closer by making it easier for them to visit each other, a reference to the reciprocal visa extension program announced last November during Obama's trip to Beijing.

He also cited the China-US cooperation to stem nuclear weapons proliferation, and combating climate change.

"All the major challenges facing the world can benefit from the cooperation of the United States and China, and we look forward to continuing to build on our progress," Kerry said. "We wish the people of China a joyous celebration, and peace and prosperity over the coming year,"

The National Day on Oct 1 is a week-long holiday during which an increasing number of Chinese choose to travel inside China or abroad, including the US.

It has been a tradition for the US secretary of State to issue statements of greetings to other nations on their important festivals.

On Sept 25, Kerry extended greetings, also on behalf of Obama and American people, to all those celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell on Sept 27 and is observed by China, Vietnam and the two Koreas.