October 1, marks the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Which will be marked with the “biggest ever” celebrations in Beijing. The celebrations will be an affirmation of national pride.
President Xi Jinping presided over a large military parade and pageant involving 100,000 performers after delivering a speech of the emergence of China as a global power.
Beijing has been transformed, red flags can be seen lined atop buildings, and red lanterns and banners with the logo of the 70th anniversary fastened across streets and draped over foot overbridges. The celebrations will go on through the entire day and night and will include a military and civilian parade. The parade — the 18th of its kind and the “biggest ever”, according to the organisers — will continue for about 80 minutes, and will involve 15,000 personnel of the People’s Liberation Army, the People’s Armed Forces, and China’s militia and reserve service.
The Chinese military was seen showing off new weapons, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States; supersonic drones; and tanks and planes. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly articulated a vision of national rejuvenation.
What is China’s National Day?
The People’s Republic of China was found on Oct. 1, 1949, after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, defeated the Nationalist Party in a civil war.
On that day, a ceremony was held in Tiananmen Square to celebrate the formation of the Central People’s Government. It included a parade by the People’s Liberation Army and an address by Mao Zedong, the country’s new leader, from the nearby Gate of Heavenly Peace.
For many Chinese people, it is a day of patriotic celebration that is followed by a weeklong holiday.
