BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 70 gun salutes were fired at Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing Thursday morning to honor the 70th anniversary of China's victory over Japanese invasion in World War II.
Premier Li Keqiang announced beginning of the celebration.
They were fired by 56 guns placed in the southern part of the square. The number of 56 represented 56 ethnic groups of China.
The gun salute ceremony was performed by the Gun Salute Battalion of the People's Armed Police Force Beijing Contingent, who served several National Day celebrations as well as the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
