▲ Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a wreath-laying ceremony for Martyrs' Day held in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on the morning of the 30th.
China held a large-scale event on the 30th, one day ahead of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, to commemorate fallen martyrs and emphasize patriotism and the "heroic spirit."
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 13th Martyrs' Day wreath-laying ceremony held in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on the morning of the same day.
The event was attended by top leadership including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Vice President Han Zheng, along with about 1,800 representatives from all walks of life.
An extra-large floral basket bearing the phrase "Blessing the Motherland" was set up in the center of Tiananmen Square, and 18 wreaths made of white chrysanthemums and other flowers were placed north of the Monument to the People's Heroes.
At 10:00 a.m. (local time), to the music played by a military band, honor guards from the army, navy, and air force marched in strict formation to line up in front of the monument.
Following this, the Chinese national anthem resounded, and attendees observed a moment of silence to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the liberation of the Chinese people and the building of the People's Republic of China.
Children wearing red scarves looked toward the Monument to the People's Heroes and sang in chorus "We are Communist Successors."
President Xi walked toward the monument, personally straightened the red ribbons attached to the wreaths, and slowly walked around the monument to pay his respects alongside the leadership.
Inscribed on the Monument to the People's Heroes is a calligraphy inscription by former Chairman Mao Zedong reading, "The people's heroes are immortal."
Following the top leadership, children and representatives from various sectors successively stepped forward to the monument to offer flowers and commemorate the victims.
China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast the entire ceremony live, and state-run media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency linked the event to the so-called "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," emphasizing messages of unity and patriotism.
China previously held events to honor people's heroes on National Day on October 1, but designated September 30 as a national Martyrs' Day starting in 2014 to highlight the meaning of commemoration.
Since then, wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument to the People's Heroes have been held every year on this day at Tiananmen Square, attended by the top leadership and representatives from all walks of life.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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