China celebrates National Day
CHINA: The Chinese people celebrated the National Day of the
People’s Republic of China with pride and passion Friday as the world’s
most populous nation has become the second-largest economy after 61
years of development.
China, which sent a man into space in 2003 and has become the third
nation on earth with the capabilities of doing so, is set to launch its
second lunar probe, Chang’e II, Friday.
In downtown Beijing, more than 150,000 people — many wearing
traditional costumes of different ethnic groups — from across the
country gathered at the Tian’anmen Square, the heart of Beijing, to
watch a grand national flag raising ceremony early Friday.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders
laid flower baskets at the Monument to the People’s Heroes on the square
Friday to pay their respects to those who sacrificed for the nation’s
independence.
In Shanghai, the China National Pavilion Day was celebrated at the
World Expo, bringing the global event to a climax. Top Chinese
legislator Wu Bangguo addressed the celebration ceremony.
Many other Chinese cities also organized flag raising functions to
mark the National Day Friday, also the first day of the “Golden Week” of
the National Day Holiday with millions of people on the move for travels
or family reunions. BEIJING, Friday, Xinhua |