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Pride of the nation as the world watches

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-02 11:42

The spectacle of perfectly drilled soldiers, advanced weaponry and elaborate floats displayed in Thursday's parade afforded an unprecedented moment of pride for the Chinese at home and abroad.

"The moment I heard President Hu Jintao announced the start of the military parade, I burst into tears," said 49-year-old Inner Mongolian singer Tengger, who was lucky enough to be in the reviewing stand at Tian'anmen.

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"It was at that moment that I fully understood the statement 'Chinese people have stood up'," he said.

Looking back over China's history of the past 60 years, it is apparent that, despite much suffering, the country has managed to achieve huge political, economic and social success, especially during the past three decades.

People's lives have been improved greatly, thanks to the country's rapid economic growth. Retired Beijing resident Liu Baoqi, 62, said she truly felt the change.

"I'm very proud of the military today. You can see we are getting stronger and stronger as a nation," said Liu, who was also in the reviewing stand.

Liu said she didn't believe the military parade represented a threat from China.

"It's very common for a modern country to have a modern army," she said. "A strong China can help maintain a peaceful world because we Chinese people love peace."

Alan Tang, from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said it was not the military that moved him most, but the people in the parade.

"I'm so excited to be at the scene," said Tang, a founding council member of the Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association.

He said the smiles and the dances of the people in the pageant were the most unforgettable.

"From that, you can feel the happiness of the people," he said.

However, not everyone was so lucky to be at the scene. Millions of people watched live TV broadcasts of the parade - and still felt the same excitement.

"I cried when watching the splendid military review and pageant this morning, and was filled with pride at being Chinese," said Wut Saelaeng, the president of Thai-Chinese Television Co, Ltd.

Wut, a Chinese-Thai businessman in his 40s, said he waited with his staff in front of the TV screen at his TV company in Bangkok for the anniversary ceremony to begin.

"For all Chinese around the world, today is a memorable day as our motherland celebrates her 60th birthday," Wut said.