Beijing ready for National Day celebration

[grey boy 2]

Beijing ready for National Day celebration08:58, October 01, 2009
Clean streets replete with national flags, major road intersections adorned with ornate potted plants, Beijing is in gala attire early Thursday for the massive celebration commemorating the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.


Photo taken on Oct. 1, 2009 shows the general view of Tian'anmen in the early morning. China will celebrate on Oct. 1 the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Yuan Man)

The event will showcase how the country explores the road of building socialism with Chinese characteristic in the past decades, and what great achievements it has attained.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather on Tian'anmen Square and along Chang'an Avenue in central Beijing for hours to experience the grandiose celebration that will boost their national pride.

Many people may have an early rise Thursday morning to get prepared to watch the much-anticipated military and civilian parade either alongside the parade route or on TV.


A red flag is seen on the top of the Great Hall of the People in the early morning in Beijing, on Oct. 1, 2009. China will celebrate on Oct. 1 the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Xu Jiajun)

Du Jiayuan, a sales manager at a Guangzhou-headquartered leather product company, said he was excited about the celebrations as 60 years mean a full cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

"The 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China is a very important moment. It is a symbol of maturity for both a person and a country."

With the grandiose military parade and massive pageant only hours away, Tian'anmen Square is in full swing to embrace the extravaganza which will add an upbeat note to the anniversary.

At the center of Tian'anmen Square, right next to the Monument to the People's Heroes, two gigantic digital screens are displaying the capital's scenic views and landmark buildings. They are planked with 56 columns, 13meters tall and painted in red and yellow, representing the country's 56 nationalities.


Children performers of the National Day celebrations gather at the Workers Stadium in the early morning in Beijing, on Oct. 1, 2009. China will celebrate on Oct. 1 the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

Tens of thousands of colorfully-clad youngsters have gathered at the square to prepare for their performance slated for Thursday morning.

Soldiers for the military parade have arrived at designated rendezvous from suburban military camps and floats for the civilian pageant have also left their camps for Tian'anmen Square.

Flags on Tian'anmen Rostrum flutter in the autumn breeze. Later in the morning, Chinese top leaders, like their predecessors, will be standing on the rostrum and watch the grand show of armed forces and masses.

Municipal authorities exercised traffic control measures along the Chang'an Aveune. Entrances to affected subway stations are locked and taxis are not allowed to operate in the areas cordoned off.


A child performer waves as the performers of the National Day celebrations gather at the Workers Stadium in the early morning in Beijing, on Oct. 1, 2009. China will celebrate on Oct. 1 the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

Opposite Wangfujing Street, a prime shopping center in downtown Beijing, a miniature of the Bird's Nest, where the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies were held, was constructed. Right across the street, there stood the Haibao, mascot of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Potted plants and flowers line up the streets while colorful posters are pasted on walls, and celebration slogans can be seen on billboards. There are also ornamental plants and plant structures in the shape of dragon, Great Wall, and all symbols of the country's pride.

The grand military parade scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. Thursday will be the 14th parade since 1949, the year when the People's Republic of China was founded.

The most recent massive parade was in 1999 when New China marked its 50th birthday.

Military parades normally feature a display of formations of the armed forces, as well as new weapons, artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, and aircraft.


Young Pioneer performers of the National Day celebrations practise salute while gathering at the Workers Stadium in the early morning in Beijing, on Oct. 1, 2009. China will celebrate on Oct. 1 the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Source: Xinhua

[gpit]

Man, I’m watching CCTV now. The celebration has started for about 19 min. Handsome boys and beautiful girls, and lots of fancy toys!

Chairman Hu Jingtao must feel very good while saluting them.