Grand national flag raising ceremony draws huge attention

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01:46

October 1 marks the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

At daybreak, more than 145,000 people from across the country gathered at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing to watch a grand national flag raising ceremony, according to reports.

At 6:10 a.m., the national flag was escorted by the People's Liberation Army Guards of Honor to Tian'anmen Square.

The national anthem was played at the national flag raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square on Monday to mark the country's 69th anniversary of its founding. /CGTN photo

As the military band played the national anthem in the background, the national flag rose, together with the sun.

Over 10,000 white doves were released as symbols of peace.

Such a ceremony is held each day here, but on important days, such as the National Day, many people would travel long distances just for that solemn moment at Tian'anmen Square.

And they came long before midnight, despite the autumn chill. What they want is a closer look at the flag-raising ceremony on China's National Day.

Thousands of Chinese from around the country had a long queue outside Tian'anmen Square at 1 a.m. on October 1, China's National Day, to come in earlier and get a better position. /CGTN photo

A girl said that this is her first time participating in the event. "I'm so happy to be this close to the national flag. It is very exciting to stay up all night to see the flag raising," she said.

A school teacher from the city of Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, said that he brought more than 100 students from his school to watch the ceremony here.

This year's ceremony comes immediately after Chinese leaders marked the country's Martyrs' Day at Tian'anmen Square on September 30.

A general view Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square, on the eve of National Day on September 30, 2018 in Beijing, China. /VCG Photo

Many people also went closer to the Monument to the People's Heroes at the heart of the square right after the flag-raising ceremony,

They paid tribute to those who perished while fighting for the country's independence, and the freedom and well-being of the people.

A college student said that she wishes that China will get better and better, people can live an even happier life, and college graduates can have more opportunities for good jobs.

China's national flag flies high at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing. /CGTN photo

Another visitor also hopes that the elderly can get easier access to health care, and children can have better education.

For them, the ceremonial event today has brought new strength and hope in working toward a better tomorrow.