We begin 2018 with the first national flag-raising ceremony of the year in China's capital Beijing.

Thousands of people waited in Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world, for sunrise. The flag was raised at 7:36 a.m.. Starting today, the duty goes to the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The ceremony takes place every day at daybreak. On national holidays and the first day of each month, a full flag-raising ceremony is held, with the military band playing the national anthem.