Over 15,000 young people gathered on the Tian'anmen Square Friday morning to celebrate the 55th National Day, singing the National Anthem and saluting the National Flag at a grand, emotional flag-hoisting ceremony. (Photo: Xinhua)

Olympians singing National Anthem

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Over 15,000 young people gathered on the Tian'anmen Square Friday morning to celebrate the 55th National Day, singing the National Anthem and saluting the National Flag at a grand, emotional flag-hoisting ceremony.

    The crowds burst into cheerful hurrah when the National Flag reached the tip of the mast, turning the square into a ground of jubilance decorated with flowers.

    Wang Zhaoguo, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and former secretary of theCentral Committee of the Chinese Communist Youth League, attended the gathering and greeted the youngsters on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

    With the background of the rising morning Sun, university students performed singing and dancing to the tune of popular patriotic songs like "I Love You, My Motherland!"

    Meanwhile, eight Olympic gold medalists and a group of young representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas sang their favorable songs, respectively.

    At 8:30 am, representatives of young people presented flower baskets to the Monument of the People's Heroes, and then, over 1,500 young pioneers saluted the National Flag, shouting, "Let's be prepared to strive for the communist cause!"

    Afterwards, over 2,000 youngsters who just turned 18 years old held a ceremony to mark their entering into adulthood. Over 1,000 university students made a pledge to devote their youthhood to themotherland, while young representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas vowed to contribute to the great cause of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

    Wang Zhaoguo addressed the ceremony, saying that the contemporary young people are reliable and very promising. He expressed his hope that young people of the Chinese mainland join hands with young Chinese from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas to make active contribution to maintaining the long-time prosperity in Hong Kong and Macao, opposing the separatist activities of the pro-independence elements, safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland. Enditem