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Communist China celebrates 60th anniversary
Today, October 1st, marks the 60th anniversary of communist rule in China - an era that has been defined with great success and development for the country.Leaders in Beijing and 30,000 specially invited guests observed the day with an epic celebration that was reported to be larger in scale than the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Visitors and residents of Beijing had limited access to the city's biggest tourist attractions, and Beijing Capital International Airport was closed for over 3 hours.
The event featured a parade of singers, dancers, and soldiers, a fireworks display, and a military procession that flaunted the country's latest surface and missile technology.
President Hu Jintao gave a speech from the same spot that Mao Zedong stood 60 years ago to declare the foundation of the People's Republic of China. "Today a socialist China that faces the future is standing tall and firm in the East," he stated. "The development and progress of the new China over the past 60 years fully proved that only socialism can save China, and only reform and opening up can ensure the development of China,".
No expense was spared for the celebration. Massive cloud-seeding efforts made yesterday proved successful, and Beijing enjoyed clear, blue skies for the day.
For pictures and an impressive video of the event, head over to the BBC for more coverage.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nun Oct 2nd 2009 12:55AM
Too bad the millions they killed can't be there to celebrate it.
bue Oct 2nd 2009 12:56AM
you even don't know the truth about china
Nun Oct 2nd 2009 8:48AM
How pathetic bue.
Richard Oct 2nd 2009 8:48AM
A great way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of a country; keep the citizens away from the celebration.
frostberryice Oct 2nd 2009 12:56PM
Citizens did get to celebrate - great jovial atmosphere in the city yesterday and there were many places to witness the tanks passing by as they were entering/exiting the main parade route. Yes, they blocked off a bunch of the main parade roads to the masses but you can't expect any government to allow a massive free-for-all with no crowd control for large events...they don't even do that for concerts or the parades in the states. The security posted at the blocked streets were actually very courteous and happy to be there...something I can't say happens with most of the rent-a-cops in the states. So please, curb the judgemental attitude.
frostberryice Oct 2nd 2009 1:02PM
Oh and nun, whats "pathetic" is your ignorant comment. We might as well say every 4th of July, "too bad the Native American tribes we stomped all over can't be here to celebrate! too bad the British Loyalists who died in the revolution aren't around either!"