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Soldiers of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force fire 60 gun salute at the start of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, near the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Ren Yong)
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BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- A solemn flag-raising ceremony and 60-gun salutes kicked off a grand celebration in central Beijing Thursday morning to mark the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders joined about 200,000 paraders, soldiers, students and dignitaries for the big day of New China on Tian'anmen Square.
The 440,000-square-meter square, overlooked by a huge south-facing portrait of late Chairman Mao Zedong on Tian'anmen Rostrum, was packed with flower-holding youngsters, solemn guards, performers dressed in colorful clothes, and numerous police to safeguard a tight security.
A total of 56 red columns were erected on the east and west sides of the square, which represented the 56 ethnic groups in China. Sixty huge lantern-shaped balloons over the square were also in red color, which symbolize auspice and happiness according to Chinese tradition.
At 10 a.m., Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), announced the start of the grand rally.
Amid 60 gun salutes, a squad of 200 armed police in olive green uniforms walked down the platform of the Monument to the People's Heroes in the center of the square, carrying a furled flag and marching northward on a red carpet toward the national flag post.
The guards walked a total of 169 steps, which symbolized 169 years since 1840, a watershed in China's history when the country lost the Opium War with Britain. That eventually led to the scramble of Western power in China.
The founding of the People's Republic ended China's history of being humiliated by outside forces. The country now is emerging asa major political and economic power in the international stage.
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 Oct. 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 setup, with red flags and colorful banners hung on street lamp poles and buildings to create a festive atmosphere.
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This marked the start of his inspection of the Chinese troops. Full story
China's 60th National Day celebration begins
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, announced the start of a grand rally in central Beijing Thursday morning to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Full story
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BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao, former President Jiang Zemin and other top leaders and celebrities showed up at the Tian'anmen Rostrum. Full story
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The two-hour celebration at the center of the dressed-up capital city will include a massive military parade and a giant pageant involving some 200,000 people in front of Tian'anmen Rostrum, on which late Chairman Mao Zedong announced the founding of New China. Full story
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BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- 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.
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. Full story
Troops ready for National Day parade
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of crisp-uniformed Chinese servicemen and women, tanks, armored personnel carriers and missiles assembled along the Chang'an Avenue in downtown Beijing Thursday morning, ready for a once-in-a-decade grand parade.
The military parade, centerpiece of the celebration marking the60th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China, will showcase China's achievements in national defense and military modernization over the past six decades. Full story
Int'l press on Tian'anmen Square to cover China's National Day celebrations
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of overseas reporters gathered Thursday morning at Tian'anmen Square to cover the well-prepared celebrations marking the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Alongside the Chang'an Avenue, reporters had their cameras erected and many were busy interviewing participants to the event. Full story
Hundreds of thousands swarm into Tian'anmen Square for National Day celebration
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- About 200,000 soldiers and civilians gather on Tian'anmen Square and alongside Chang'an Avenue Thursday morning to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Most of them are participants of a military parade and a civilian pageant, slated for 10:00 o'clock in the morning. Full story
Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC
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