China
2025.09.02 18:14 GMT+8

Tiananmen Square set for 80th anniversary commemoration

Updated 2025.09.02 18:14 GMT+8
CGTN

The core area of Tiananmen Square is now largely ready for the commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, scheduled for September 3.

The square features red, gold and green decorations. Green at the base represents the land; The golden sun above it symbolizes the dawn of progress for the Chinese nation.

The design scheme was created by a team from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, selected and refined from more than 100 proposals through extensive discussions.

Tian Zhongli, head of the planning and design department of the event's service and command office, said, "We placed the year pedestals on both sides of the Monument to the People's Heroes, lifting up '1945' and '2025,' which clearly conveys the theme of the commemoration."

The pedestals reflect the Great Wall as the central design language, with seven dove sculptures on each side to denote the 14-year struggle of the Chinese people in the war.

"The 14 doves are a highlight of the design, representing the shared pursuit and safeguarding of peace by hundreds of millions of Chinese people and peace-loving people around the world," Tian said.

Along Chang'an Avenue, 10 large themed flowerbeds have been arranged, drawing crowds of citizens and tourists to take photos.

The "Ode to the Yellow River" flowerbed, standing 8.5 meters high, recreates the grandeur of Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River. The sound of cascading water, paired with the stirring "Yellow River Cantata," is played every hour from 9 a.m., showcasing the indomitable strength of the Chinese people.

The "Mainstay" flowerbed interprets the Yan'an Spirit through several landmark designs, with the towering "Yan'an Pagoda Hill" rising to 10.9 meters.

The "Passing on the Torch" flowerbed integrates torches, ribbons and sunflowers, symbolizing the great spirit of resistance being carried forward across generations.

The "United as One" flowerbed takes the Great Wall as its main feature, embodying the unity and resolve of the Chinese nation.

The "Livestreaming for Farmers" flowerbed depicts a young man in a straw hat promoting agricultural products through livestreaming.

For the first time, ornamental vegetables and crops, such as sugarcane, are used in the flowerbeds, recreating rural production scenes and showcasing a new model of integrated agriculture and tourism.

In total, more than 300 varieties of flowers are used for the flowerbeds along Chang'an Avenue, including over 100 new or native species. Forty newly bred varieties with independent intellectual property rights make their debut.

Beijing has prepared specially designed service packs for attendees at Wednesday's ceremony.

The three small pockets form the number "80," echoing the 80th anniversary theme. The packs will be delivered to the viewing areas on Tuesday.

(All photos via CMG)

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