Editor's note: Wang Yan is the Director of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

October 1, 2022 marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Many people stayed overnight at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing to watch the flag-raising ceremony in commemoration of the National Day Festival.

My son, an 18-year-old high school student, wanted to join it and told me that he has to depart at 12 midnight. I asked why? He replied, why do you celebrate the birthday of your mother?

His rhetorical question could explain why Chinese citizens celebrate National Day. The nation, in Chinese, literally is "state-home." To the Chinese, the state is home and home is state. Both terms are where people identify where they belong, seek safety and security, which can fulfill meaningful roles for them and they can also enjoy a strong sense of well-being.

National Day can be celebrated in various ways.

People share pictures with greetings on this day such as "happy birthday, my great motherland" and "I wish the motherland prosperity" on social media sites, including Douyin, Weibo, and WeChat moments. Among them, there are photos of crowds at Tian'anmen Square, taking part in the flag-raising ceremony.

People celebrate National Day in commemoration of those who have lost their lives in the war fighting for the foundation of the People's Republic of China, with awe for their amazing courage and show deep appreciation for their sacrifices. 

People deliver best wishes to their families and friends, as they do in all national festivals such as the Mid-autumn and Dragon Boat Festivals, along with their best wishes for the motherland as they believe that their happiness and well-being is the crucial part of prosperity of the "state-home."

National Day is also the starting point of a seven-day national holiday. People take the opportunity with paid leave to visit various places, either by going to sites in their own city or traveling to other parts of China to enjoy observing the beautiful national landmarks, such as the natural scenery and modern facilities, which have been preserved or built together with other citizens through hard work. 

People also go to cinemas to watch several new movies. At the top of the list is "Home Coming," a gripping account on the endeavors of the Chinese government to evacuate overseas Chinese nationals amid the outbreak of war, which is based on a true story.

Meanwhile, visitors carefully observe pandemic control policies and take mandatory nucleic acid tests, while showing the results on their health apps from their smart phones at all public facilities' entrances. Thanks to the social distancing measures, the people can be well-protected and avoid getting infected and suffering from much pain or in extreme cases, dying from the virus. In particular, the elderly, who have the greatest risk to the pandemic, can still live happily in their twilight years under Beijing's dynamic zero-COVID strategy.

Embedded in all these activities is the love toward their "state-home," which are indeed mixed sentiments, as a result of the culture inherited from history and fostered by China's development.

There are many ethos and virtues associated with home, which have been cherished and observed for many years in the country. Among others, filial piety, the first virtue in Chinese culture, is an attitude of demonstrating respect for parents and ancestors in societies. Such a culture enlightens people to become more aware of the origin of their life, to appreciate what they are given and be empowered with the great legacy from the past. This is partly translated into people's feelings toward their motherland, which is the foundation of their life and prosperity.

The sentiments involve the feelings of safety and warmth, such as harbor that people can always anchor on no matter how far they sail and what storms they endure. As demonstrated in the movie, "Home Coming," the "state-home" spared no efforts to save the lives of their family members.

The sentiments are pride and honor, when people take pride in the greatness of the nation and the people around them, which have been crystalized in the symbols associated with the nation, including the national flag, national anthem, Tian'anmen Square, Great Wall, and Tiangong-1 Spacecraft.

The sentiments are a collective joy. As the prosperity of a nation can only be achieved by collective efforts, the delight of being part of it arises and spreads when people are together, physically or virtually, work together and grow together with their nation.

More importantly, it is wisdom and spirit infused in the knowledge and skills that are acquired through education, which can illuminate people on their pursuit for the betterment of their lives and the development of our great nation.

The video clips of the flag-raising ceremony have been spread widely. On the solemn Tian'anmen Square, the soldiers carried and hoisted the red flag with five yellow stars, while thousands of people were saluting and watching the flag rising up and singing the national anthem with strong sentiments of respect, pride, joy and appreciation.

Love is mutual, so are the connections between the motherland and their people. People enjoy security, health, and joy as they belong to the "state-home," and the motherland grows and prospers because of their people's commitment and dedication. With such an understanding, China and the Chinese can realize their promise for a better tomorrow.

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