BEIJING - OCTOBER 01: Fireworks explode over Tiananmen Square during the evening party for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 2009 in Beijing, China. Chinese people commemorated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with massive celebrations taking place across the country including a grand military parade and mass pageant in Beijing.
Thousands of troops marched in tight formations, fighter jets flew over the city and the world's largest military displayed an array of high-tech weaponry including intercontinental ballistic missiles in a patriotic show of force.
President Hu Jintao extolled the country's Communist Party-led rebirth in a speech to the invitation-only crowd from Tiananmen gate, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic on October 1, 1949.
"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, socialism and Marxism," Hu told the crowd.
China typically holds grand celebrations every 10 years to commemorate Mao's pronouncement, but authorities promised that this year's festivities would top those staged in the past -- and outdo last year's Olympic opening ceremony. Related article: Internet, dissidents under watch
The government wants to send a clear message: that China, the world's third-largest economy and with a population of 1.3 billion, has re-emerged as a proud and undeniable global force.
Hu, in a high-collared Mao-style tunic, underlined this confidence in his speech before a packed Tiananmen Square festooned in the nation's red and yellow.
"Today a socialist China that faces the future is standing tall and firm in the East," he declared.
An estimated 200,000 people took part in the lavish morning festivities, which unfolded under clear blue skies.
Flexing its growing muscle, China paraded long-range nuclear missiles capable of striki ng the heart of the United States and other homegrown weaponry signalling that a nation once bullied by foreign powers is a pushover no more. Related article: China's military power
The military show was followed by a colourful parade, with tens of thousands of people marching and singing in unison in a testament to China's ability to harness its vast manpower on a massive scale.
Besides goose-stepping troops, squads of pink-clad women "volunteers" dubbed the "iron roses" marched in go-go boots, while thousands of other participants danced around waving flowing fans, pompoms and bouquets of flowers.
Sports heroes such as hurdler Liu Xiang rode on one of a series of brightly decorated floats as 80,000 children flipped hand-held cards to spelling out messages such as "Socialism is Good" on the massive square.
Despite the burst of pride, official insecurity has also been on clear display -- authorities have imposed draconian security in a bid to prevent an array of perceived threats from spoiling the party.
These include tension in ethnic minority regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet, and widespread social discontent over a widening wealth gap, corruption and environmental degradation.
China rammed home its message of unity in an evening song-and-dance spectacular at the square featuring performers dressed to represent the nation's 56 ethnic groups and singing songs from minority regions as fireworks lit up the night sky.
It ended with the suited-and-booted leaders of China's powerful politburo, including Premier Wen Jiabao, entering the square to dance stiffly with participants.
The tight security meant most of Beijing's 17 million people were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China.
Lu Haishi, 23, travelled all the way from Shanghai to watch the festivities with friends -- on TV.
"We've rented a room to see the parade on television in a hotel near the route, to get the atmosphere," he said.
The Mao-led 1949 communist takeover ended years of foreign domination and war, while three decades of economic reforms initiated by late leader Deng Xiaoping enriched China and propelled it back into the ranks of world powers.
No major protests in mainland China against communist rule were reported on Thursday.
But in the territory of Hong Kong there were minor scuffles between protesters and police as hundreds took to the streets to urge Chinese leaders to improve human rights and release jailed dissidents.
Taiwan, meanwhile, responded coolly to a call by Hu for complete reunification of the Chinese "motherland," in which Beijing includes the self-ruled island. Related article: Taiwan rejects call for reunification
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council rejected that, calling itself an "independent sovereign state".
Friday, October 02, 2009
DTN News: China TODAY October 2, 2009 ~ China Celebrates 60th Birthday With Lavish Show
DTN News: China TODAY October 2, 2009 ~ China Celebrates 60th Birthday With Lavish Show
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - October 2, 2009: China on Thursday celebrated 60 years of communist rule with a military parade and elaborate pageant on Beijing's Tiananmen Square showcasing the nation's revival as a global power. BEIJING - OCTOBER 01: Fireworks explode over Tiananmen Square during the evening party for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 2009 in Beijing, China. Chinese people commemorated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with massive celebrations taking place across the country including a grand military parade and mass pageant in Beijing.
Thousands of troops marched in tight formations, fighter jets flew over the city and the world's largest military displayed an array of high-tech weaponry including intercontinental ballistic missiles in a patriotic show of force.
President Hu Jintao extolled the country's Communist Party-led rebirth in a speech to the invitation-only crowd from Tiananmen gate, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic on October 1, 1949.
"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, socialism and Marxism," Hu told the crowd.
China typically holds grand celebrations every 10 years to commemorate Mao's pronouncement, but authorities promised that this year's festivities would top those staged in the past -- and outdo last year's Olympic opening ceremony. Related article: Internet, dissidents under watch
The government wants to send a clear message: that China, the world's third-largest economy and with a population of 1.3 billion, has re-emerged as a proud and undeniable global force.
Hu, in a high-collared Mao-style tunic, underlined this confidence in his speech before a packed Tiananmen Square festooned in the nation's red and yellow.
"Today a socialist China that faces the future is standing tall and firm in the East," he declared.
An estimated 200,000 people took part in the lavish morning festivities, which unfolded under clear blue skies.
Flexing its growing muscle, China paraded long-range nuclear missiles capable of striki ng the heart of the United States and other homegrown weaponry signalling that a nation once bullied by foreign powers is a pushover no more. Related article: China's military power
The military show was followed by a colourful parade, with tens of thousands of people marching and singing in unison in a testament to China's ability to harness its vast manpower on a massive scale.
Besides goose-stepping troops, squads of pink-clad women "volunteers" dubbed the "iron roses" marched in go-go boots, while thousands of other participants danced around waving flowing fans, pompoms and bouquets of flowers.
Sports heroes such as hurdler Liu Xiang rode on one of a series of brightly decorated floats as 80,000 children flipped hand-held cards to spelling out messages such as "Socialism is Good" on the massive square.
Despite the burst of pride, official insecurity has also been on clear display -- authorities have imposed draconian security in a bid to prevent an array of perceived threats from spoiling the party.
These include tension in ethnic minority regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet, and widespread social discontent over a widening wealth gap, corruption and environmental degradation.
China rammed home its message of unity in an evening song-and-dance spectacular at the square featuring performers dressed to represent the nation's 56 ethnic groups and singing songs from minority regions as fireworks lit up the night sky.
It ended with the suited-and-booted leaders of China's powerful politburo, including Premier Wen Jiabao, entering the square to dance stiffly with participants.
The tight security meant most of Beijing's 17 million people were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China.
Lu Haishi, 23, travelled all the way from Shanghai to watch the festivities with friends -- on TV.
"We've rented a room to see the parade on television in a hotel near the route, to get the atmosphere," he said.
The Mao-led 1949 communist takeover ended years of foreign domination and war, while three decades of economic reforms initiated by late leader Deng Xiaoping enriched China and propelled it back into the ranks of world powers.
No major protests in mainland China against communist rule were reported on Thursday.
But in the territory of Hong Kong there were minor scuffles between protesters and police as hundreds took to the streets to urge Chinese leaders to improve human rights and release jailed dissidents.
Taiwan, meanwhile, responded coolly to a call by Hu for complete reunification of the Chinese "motherland," in which Beijing includes the self-ruled island. Related article: Taiwan rejects call for reunification
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council rejected that, calling itself an "independent sovereign state".
BEIJING - OCTOBER 01: Fireworks explode over Tiananmen Square during the evening party for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 2009 in Beijing, China. Chinese people commemorated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with massive celebrations taking place across the country including a grand military parade and mass pageant in Beijing.
Thousands of troops marched in tight formations, fighter jets flew over the city and the world's largest military displayed an array of high-tech weaponry including intercontinental ballistic missiles in a patriotic show of force.
President Hu Jintao extolled the country's Communist Party-led rebirth in a speech to the invitation-only crowd from Tiananmen gate, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic on October 1, 1949.
"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, socialism and Marxism," Hu told the crowd.
China typically holds grand celebrations every 10 years to commemorate Mao's pronouncement, but authorities promised that this year's festivities would top those staged in the past -- and outdo last year's Olympic opening ceremony. Related article: Internet, dissidents under watch
The government wants to send a clear message: that China, the world's third-largest economy and with a population of 1.3 billion, has re-emerged as a proud and undeniable global force.
Hu, in a high-collared Mao-style tunic, underlined this confidence in his speech before a packed Tiananmen Square festooned in the nation's red and yellow.
"Today a socialist China that faces the future is standing tall and firm in the East," he declared.
An estimated 200,000 people took part in the lavish morning festivities, which unfolded under clear blue skies.
Flexing its growing muscle, China paraded long-range nuclear missiles capable of striki ng the heart of the United States and other homegrown weaponry signalling that a nation once bullied by foreign powers is a pushover no more. Related article: China's military power
The military show was followed by a colourful parade, with tens of thousands of people marching and singing in unison in a testament to China's ability to harness its vast manpower on a massive scale.
Besides goose-stepping troops, squads of pink-clad women "volunteers" dubbed the "iron roses" marched in go-go boots, while thousands of other participants danced around waving flowing fans, pompoms and bouquets of flowers.
Sports heroes such as hurdler Liu Xiang rode on one of a series of brightly decorated floats as 80,000 children flipped hand-held cards to spelling out messages such as "Socialism is Good" on the massive square.
Despite the burst of pride, official insecurity has also been on clear display -- authorities have imposed draconian security in a bid to prevent an array of perceived threats from spoiling the party.
These include tension in ethnic minority regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet, and widespread social discontent over a widening wealth gap, corruption and environmental degradation.
China rammed home its message of unity in an evening song-and-dance spectacular at the square featuring performers dressed to represent the nation's 56 ethnic groups and singing songs from minority regions as fireworks lit up the night sky.
It ended with the suited-and-booted leaders of China's powerful politburo, including Premier Wen Jiabao, entering the square to dance stiffly with participants.
The tight security meant most of Beijing's 17 million people were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China.
Lu Haishi, 23, travelled all the way from Shanghai to watch the festivities with friends -- on TV.
"We've rented a room to see the parade on television in a hotel near the route, to get the atmosphere," he said.
The Mao-led 1949 communist takeover ended years of foreign domination and war, while three decades of economic reforms initiated by late leader Deng Xiaoping enriched China and propelled it back into the ranks of world powers.
No major protests in mainland China against communist rule were reported on Thursday.
But in the territory of Hong Kong there were minor scuffles between protesters and police as hundreds took to the streets to urge Chinese leaders to improve human rights and release jailed dissidents.
Taiwan, meanwhile, responded coolly to a call by Hu for complete reunification of the Chinese "motherland," in which Beijing includes the self-ruled island. Related article: Taiwan rejects call for reunification
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council rejected that, calling itself an "independent sovereign state".
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