Martyrs' Day ceremony of presenting flower baskets to fallen national heroes held in Beijing

BEIJING -- The deeds of fallen heroes are remembered, and the spirit of hard work is strengthened. A ceremony of presenting flower baskets to China's fallen national heroes was held on the morning of Sept 30 at Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, to mark the country's Martyrs' Day. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, joined representatives from all walks of life to attend the event.

At the grand Tian'anmen Square, a bright Five-Star Red Flag flies high and conspicuously, and the Monument to the People's Heroes stands majestically. In the center of the square, a huge display in the shape of a flower basket is placed, with Chinese characters on it reading "Best Wishes to the Motherland," expressing the wishes for a more prosperous and stronger China. Eighteen wreaths composed of white chrysanthemums and other flowers on two groups of flower beds located north of the monument convey all Chinese people's deep memories of the fallen national heroes.

As the clock was about to strike 10, Party and state leaders, including Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng arrived at Tian'anmen Square to attend the ceremony.

Trumpeters of the band of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) played the solemn "Martyrs' Day Bugle."

At the word of the command "Guards of honor on your marks", PLA guards of honor marched in parade steps to the front of the monument and stood still, holding their guns.

At 10 a.m., the ceremony commenced. The military band played the national anthem "The March of the Volunteers," and all participants sang in unison.

After the anthem, all present stood in solemn silence to pay tribute to the heroes who laid down their lives for the liberation of the Chinese people and the development of the People's Republic of China.

Following that, a group of children holding flowers in their hands and facing the monument sang the song "We Are Communist Successors," and saluted to the monument as Young Pioneers.

In front of the formations, nine large flower baskets were placed in a line in the name of the CPC Central Committee; the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC); the State Council; the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); the Central Military Commission; the non-CPC parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and patriotic personages without party affiliation; people's organizations and the people from all walks of life; veterans, retired senior officials and relatives of martyrs; and the Chinese Young Pioneers. "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes," read the eye-catching characters in the red ribbons hung on the flower baskets.

As the military band played the soulful "Flower Presenting Melody," 18 guards of honor steadily lifted the flower baskets, walked slowly to the monument, and laid them on the pedestal.

Xi and other leaders of the Party and the state walked up to the pedestal and stopped in front of the flower baskets. Bright-colored anthuriums, blossoming lilies, and fragrant oncidiums ... all were telling people's cherished memories of and sincere respect for the deceased heroes.

Taking a few steps forward, Xi carefully straightened the ribbons and led other leaders in a walk around the monument to pay tribute.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Eighty years ago, the Chinese people achieved the first complete victory in resisting foreign aggression in modern times after their gallant fight with tenacity and valor, creating bright prospects of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Today, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the whole Party, the military and people of all ethnic groups across the country are carrying forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, pressing ahead with enterprise and resolve, and working in unity to make further progress in building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

Children and representatives from all walks of life walked up to the front of the monument, laid flowers and paid tribute.

The ceremony was presided over by Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, some vice chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, some vice chairpersons of the CPPCC National Committee, and members of the Central Military Commission attended the ceremony.

Those who attended the ceremony also included leading officials of relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee, the central government, the military and people's organizations, and leading officials of the Beijing Municipal Government. Present at the ceremony were also leading officials of the central committees of the non-CPC parties and the ACFIC; representatives of personages without party affiliation; representatives of veterans, retired senior officials and relatives of martyrs in Beijing; representatives of recipients of honorary titles and awards in Beijing; and representatives from all walks of life in the capital.