An art performance was held at the National Stadium in Beijing on Monday evening in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan joined about 20,000 people to watch the performance, titled "The Great Journey." 

At around 7:57 p.m., Xi and other senior government officials walked onto the rostrum, waving at the people amid applause and cheers.

With fireworks rocketing into the sky, displaying the number "100" over the stadium, the performance unveiled its curtain.

The epic show, comprising four parts, offered a panoramic view of the course of the CPC, presenting how the Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC, have carried out revolution, construction and reform over the past 100 years.

Blending various art forms such as song, dance, traditional Chinese opera, drama and live band, the show featured a number of large-scale performances, which depict key figures, critical events and moments in the past century and mark the tremendous changes and great achievements of the nation.

It extolled the fact that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core since the 18th CPC National Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, and China is embarking on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country.

After the performance, all the audience rose to chorus the song "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China."

Important foreign friends, diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations in Beijing, and foreign experts were also invited to the event.

(With input from Xinhua)