China's National Day: Over 145,000 watch flag raising at Tiananmen Square

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02:04

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

At daybreak, more than 145-thousand people from across the country gathered at Tian'anmen Square to watch the raising of the national flag. Our reporter Zheng Yibing has more.

Solemn and sacred, the national flag is escorted at dawn by the People's Liberation Army Guards of Honor to Tian'anmen Square at the heart of Beijing.

As the military band plays the national anthem in the background, the national flag rises, together with the sun.

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

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "Such 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.

SPECTATOR "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."

SPECTATOR "I brought more than 100 students from my school in Nanjing to watch the ceremony here. We've been here since midnight."

After the flag-raising ceremony, many people also went closer to the Monument to the People's Heroes.

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

They bring good wishes.

SPECTATOR "I wish that China will get better and better, people can live an even happier life."

SPECTATOR "I wish for 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 to work towards a better tomorrow. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Beijing.