Beijing repurposes seats used for V-Day celebration

As the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services opens on Wednesday, visitors will notice familiar rows of red seats scattered outside the venue, according to Beijing Daily.

These 1,508 seats, once part of the temporary viewing platforms at Tian'anmen Square for the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, continue to serve the public across the capital.

"We retrofitted these seats with steel bases for stability so they could be used safely and effectively on the ground," said Liu Feifei, head of Shougang Park's urban renewal department.

The repurposing effort extends beyond Shougang. Beijing has embarked on a large-scale, precise reuse of these elements from Tian'anmen Square to maximize resource efficiency and preserve the commemorative value of items used for the grand parade, including flag formations, seats, carpets, and the Great Wall-themed stage.

The reuse includes nearly 50,000 ergonomically designed seats, color-coded in gold, red, and olive green to match their new environments, whether in school auditoriums, parks, sports facilities, or public spaces.

Some red seats now offer rest spots under trees and along pathways in the Central Green Forest Park in Tongzhou district and are also used in schools. Fengtai district received four entire viewing platforms, complete with seats, now serving as spectator stands at local parks.

Moreover, the red flag formations have been distributed to various school campuses, where they continue to inspire students and teachers to commemorate the war.