Nine formations taking part in a mass parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday saluted China's reform and opening-up.
These formations were the second part of the National Day mass parade, and they honored the great development and progress China has made since 1978, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and through the hard work and courage of the Chinese people.
CPC thoughts enriched from generation to generation
Tributes were paid to Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, the former CPC leaders during the reform and opening-up era.
Deng was most renowned for masterminding the policy of reform and opening up, which ushered in an era of amazing economic development in China that earned worldwide respect.
Two formations reflected rural reform and the establishment of special economic zones, which were all products of Deng's wisdom.
There were formations marking the important "Three Represents" proposed by Jiang, which requires the CPC to always represent the development trend of China's advanced social productive forces, the progressive course of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people.
The mass parade also highlighted Hu's "Scientific Outlook on Development", which unveiled the CPC's determination to promote more coordinated development on the basis of social harmony, environmental protection and energy conservation in addition to economic expansion.
People from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan join the mass parade
Paraders from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan joined a formation on the theme of "One Country, Two Systems".
This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China and the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China.
Since their returns, the central government has unswervingly adhered to "One Country, Two Systems" principle. The system is crucial to maintaining Hong Kong and Macao's economic advantages and social stability.
Special formation represents Chinese people's indomitable courage
There was a special formation to recall the memory of the outbreak of SARS in 2003 and the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, highlighting the Chinese people's indomitable spirit in overcoming difficulties.
Since 2003, China has improved its emergency systems to deal with infectious diseases, and established an information system for reporting to the World Health Organization. China is now a leading country in terms of preventing and containing infectious diseases.
After the 2008 earthquake, China reinforced disaster relief efforts including raising subsidies for victims and speeding up reconstruction of damaged residential buildings. Through institutional reform, China also set up the Ministry of Emergency Management in March 2018 to improve the national response to disasters.
"From 2008 to 2020": Olympics in China
A formation marched through Tian'anmen Square to retrace the holding of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and showcase China's accomplishments in the field of sports.
Xinhua Photo
2008 was the first time that China held the Olympic Games. The China team won with 48 gold medals and became the first Asian country to top the medal table.
Since 2008, the country has seen huge growth in the number of people involved in sporting activities. The 2008 Olympics also left a massive legacy, and with the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Beijing is set to use venues and stadiums that were used in 2008. Beijing will become the first city to host both the winter and summer Olympics.