News

Sixty-gun salutes, flag raising ceremony kick off grand celebration

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-01 10:28

A flag-raising ceremony kicks off a grand celebration of the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]

President Hu, flanked by former president Jiang Zemin, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders and invited guests, stood in the balcony of Tian'anmen Rostrum overlooking the packed square.

While the five-star red flag was being hoisted, the crowd sang in chorus with the 1,300-member military band playing the national anthem.

The events for the big day were also watched nationwide via live TV and online broadcast.

President Hu, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is expected to review the Chinese troops shortly.

This will be followed by a military parade and a mass pageant which is set to showcase major achievements and growing strength of the 1.3 billion-people socialist country.

On October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China, after the Kuomintang government lost a civil war and retreated to Taiwan.

Following decades of socialist construction, political upheavals and economic ups and downs, particularly as a result of transition to market economy since the late 1970s, China now emerges as the world's third largest economy in terms of gross domestic product.

Participated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF), military reserves and militia, the military parade will be a debut of China' s new weaponry and enhanced defense strength.

Some of China-made sophisticated weaponry, including cruise missiles, early warning aircraft and new battle tanks, will be the centerpiece of the parade, the 14th of this kind since 1949.

More than 150 jet-fighters, bombers, helicopters and other aircraft are to fly over Tian'anmen Square.

Along Chang'an Avenue, the east-west thoroughfare across downtown Beijing, dozens of temporary floral "sculptures" were set up, with red flags and colorful banners hung on street lamp poles and buildings to create a festive atmosphere.