Chinese President Xi Jinping with other senior Chinese leaders joined representatives from all walks of life in presenting flower baskets to deceased national heroes in Beijing on Monday, marking the country's sixth Martyrs' Day on the eve of National Day. 

The ceremony, which comes as the People's Republic of China is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding, is held at Beijing's Tian'anmen Square. 

Before the start of the ceremony, a military band played trumpets to commemorate the martyrs. 

At 10 a.m., participants sang the national anthem and then bowed their heads in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes in silent tribute to those who devoted their lives to the liberation of the Chinese people and the construction of the People's Republic of China, which was founded in 1949. 

After a group of children performed a patriotic song, 18 honor guards laid nine flower baskets in front of the monument. 

Xi straightened the red ribbons on the baskets and led a group of senior officials in a walk around the monument to pay tribute. 

Children and other attendees followed them and laid bouquets of flowers at the foot of the monument. 

Before the ceremony, Xi and other Chinese leaders also paid respect to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, at the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, also located at the square. 

They made three bows toward Mao's seated statue and paid respect to Mao's remains. 

Martyrs' Day, which comes just one day before China's National Day on October 1, was also the day when foundations were laid for the Monument to the People's Heroes in 1949.    

It is one of China's three annual national memorial days, the others being "Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" on September 3 and "National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims" on December 13. 

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Live: Ceremony to commemorate Martyrs' Day at Tian'anmen Square

Definition of 'martyr' 

Those remembered on Martyrs' Day are defined by the government as "people who sacrificed their lives for national independence and prosperity, as well as the welfare of the people in modern times, or after First Opium War (1840-1842)." 

In 2014, China's legislature approved September 30 as Martyrs' Day to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for national causes. 

The move to create the commemoration is aimed at "publicizing martyrs' achievements and spirits, and cultivating patriotism, collectivism, and socialist moralities so as to consolidate the Chinese nation's cohesiveness," the top legislature said when making the decision. 

It is believed that China has about 20 million martyrs. However, as many of them did not leave their names in warring days, only 1.93 million martyrs have been enlisted in the government's directory. On average, about 300 more people are identified and listed as martyrs each year. 

China has a long tradition of commemorating and honoring martyrs and other heroes who contributed greatly to the nation's development. About 150 million people visit martyrs' graves every year. Films, TV series, and books about martyrs' achievements are very popular. 

A revised regulation for commending martyrs took effect last month, which asks the county-level governments and above to hold ceremonies to grant the martyrs' families the heroism certificates on Martyrs' Day, every year, to show respect. 

Last year, the country also strengthened protection of the reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs, and toughened punishment for those who defame heroes, distort, and diminish them. 

(CGTN's Sun Tianyuan also contributed to the story.)