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Celebrating 60 years

By Bao Daozu (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-01 07:29

Beijing is painting the town red and flying the flags in honor of the 60th anniversary of New China's founding today.

As people from around the country rejoice in the progress of the past six decades, Chinese flags are waved by crowds in Tian'anmen Square and draped throughout the city's hutong.

Tens of thousands have flanked the city's main east-west thoroughfare, Chang'an Avenue, to watch the two-hour National Day parade, showcasing the country's military and civilian achievements. Months of preparation are behind the gala, which ends with a dazzling fireworks show tonight.

University instructor Zhan Shu, who joined rehearsals to carry slogans about the 2008 Olympics' success, could hardly contain his excitement yesterday.

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"When the sun rises tomorrow, it will be our great moment," he said, before boarding a bus to the square.

Marching with the women soldiers' bloc is a special opportunity for 21-year-old Qin Yuyan.

The Qiang ethnic minority woman is from Sichuan province's Beichuan, the epicenter of the May 12 earthquake that killed seven of her family members.

"This parade is a chance for me to give something back," she said, referring to the government's assistance to disaster victims. "I want to leave both my footsteps and the gratitude in my heart in Tian'anmen Square."

Qin filled out her application to march while hospitalized by an appendectomy and is proud to represent her ethnic group, she said.

Yesterday, Tian'anmen was packed with visitors snapping photos with the freshly painted portrait of Mao Zedong, as well as with rifle-toting SWAT police and armed vehicles. The throng was a sea of flags, and many people wore 5-yuan "gold medals" resembling those awarded in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but featuring images of Mao Zedong and Tian'anmen.

Today is quite literally a time of "double happiness" for Beijing bride Zhang Jie, 23, and groom Ma Xin, 31, who scheduled their wedding to coincide with the momentous occasion.

"There won't be another historic moment like this in our lives," Zhang said.

A family shares a joyful moment in Tian'anmen Square. [China Daily]

They are among tens of thousands who will make today's national anniversary their future wedding anniversaries. Authorities in Shanghai and Chongqing are busy issuing marriage certificates but are postponing divorces.

Tun Bar in Beijing's Sanlitun area opened its doors at 8 am - about 10 hours earlier than usual - for the biggest National Day party promoted within the expat community.

Manager Maria Duremdes expected an even mixure of foreigners and Chinese among the nearly 100 people who will watch the parade on the colossal projector screen that covers the establishment's entire back wall.

Dutchwoman Katharina Fuhler said she was impressed when she glimpsed a rehearsal several weeks ago.

"It gave me more respect for China, because they can get all of those people together," she said. "Not many other countries could gather so many volunteers."

Although he knew it would be difficult, Norwegian Jan Kuhlefelp had planned to try to get near Tian'anmen.

"I just can't miss this opportunity," said Kuhlefelp, who has lived in China since 1996 but was out of the country for the '99 celebrations.

"I'm personally happy China is a highly successful country, and its people can celebrate progress and are happy with what the country is achieving."

After the parade, he and his wife, a native Beijinger, plan to continue celebrating at a dinner party with Chinese and foreign friends.

American university instructor Niffy Hargrave said she is excited to celebrate today, starting with watching the parade on TV and finishing with an evening party.

"I support China, and I feel that if we're living in China, and this is a holiday that means a lot to the people and their families, then I want to be a part of that," Hargrave said.

Taxi driver Liu Yueshen said today's festivities, excitement and presentation are more spectacular than the 50th anniversary's. He said that Beijing's cityscape and air quality have improved since then.