BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Honoring the glory of fallen national heroes and forging mighty strength to advance national rejuvenation, a Martyrs' Day ceremony to present flower baskets to the nation's fallen heroes was solemnly held on the morning of Sept. 30 at Tian'anmen Square, Beijing. Leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the ceremony along with representatives from all walks of life.
At the grand Tian'anmen Square, a bright Five-Star Red Flag fluttered in the wind and the Monument to the People's Heroes stood tall and majestic. A giant flower basket inscribed with Chinese characters reading "Best Wishes to Our Motherland" was placed in the center of the square, expressing the hope for the nation to become stronger and more prosperous. To the north of the monument, 18 wreaths made of white chrysanthemums and other fresh flowers were arranged on two flower beds, conveying the profound remembrance of all Chinese people for the heroes.
Approaching 10 o'clock, Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng arrived at Tian'anmen Square for the ceremony.
Trumpeters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) band played the "Martyrs' Day Bugle." The powerful, resonant sound of the trumpet stirred the hearts of those present.
At the word of the command "Guards of honor on your marks," PLA guards of honor marched in parade steps to the front of the monument and stood still, holding their rifles.
At 10 a.m., the ceremony commenced. The military band played the national anthem "The March of the Volunteers," and all participants sang in unison.
After the anthem, all present stood solemnly for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the heroes who laid down their lives for the liberation of the Chinese people and the development of the People's Republic of China.
Following that, a group of children holding flowers and facing the monument sang the song "We Are Communist Successors," and saluted the monument as Young Pioneers.
In front of the formations, nine large flower baskets were placed in a line in the name of the CPC Central Committee; the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee; the State Council; the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); the Central Military Commission (CMC); non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and patriots without party affiliations; people's organizations and people from all walks of life; veterans, retired senior cadres and relatives of martyrs; and the Chinese Young Pioneers. "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes," read the eye-catching characters on the red ribbons hung on the flower baskets.
As the military band played the soulful "Flower Presenting Melody," 18 guards of honor steadily lifted the flower baskets, walked slowly to the monument, and laid them on the pedestal.
Xi and other leaders of the Party and the state walked up to the pedestal, stopped in front of the flower baskets and gazed forward. Bright-colored anthuriums, blossoming lilies, and fragrant oncidiums... all were telling people's cherished memories of and sincere respect for the deceased heroes.
Xi took a few steps forward and carefully arranged the satin ribbons on the flower baskets. He and the other leaders then walked slowly around the monument and paid their tribute.
This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. On the new "long march" in the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the whole Party, the entire military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups are preserving and carrying forward the great "founding spirit of the Party" and the "spirit of the Long March," pressing ahead with enterprise and resolve, and striving relentlessly in building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
Children and representatives from all walks of life walked up to the monument, laid flowers and looked up at it with reverence.
The ceremony was presided over by Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee.
Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, vice chairperson of the CMC, some vice chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and some vice chairpersons of the CPPCC National Committee attended the ceremony.
Among others attending the ceremony were leading officials of relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee, the central government, the military and people's organizations, and leading officials of the Beijing Municipal Government. Present at the ceremony were also leading officials of the central committees of the non-CPC parties and the ACFIC, representatives of personages without party affiliation, representatives of veterans, retired senior cadres and relatives of martyrs in Beijing, representatives of recipients of honorary titles and awards in Beijing, members of the national ethnic minority visiting group, and representatives from all walks of life in the capital.■
