On October 1st in 1949 the Chinese people, under the leadership of
the Communist Party of China, declared victory in the War of Liberation
against the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai Shek.
The grand ceremony for the founding of People's Republic of China
[PRC] was held on this day in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Mao Zedong,
Chairman of the Central People's Government, solemnly declared the
founding of PRC at the ceremony and raised the first national flag of
China himself. 300,000 soldiers and people gathered on the square for
the grand parade and procession.
The Chinese Love Lanterns
During China's National Day, red
lanterns are seen everywhere, especially hanging at the gates of
government office buildings as well as all kinds of stores and shops.
The red lantern is a symbol of festivity, luck and happiness. See
also the
Chinese New Year Lantern Festival.
National Day is celebrated throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, and
Macau with a variety of festivities, including fireworks and concerts,
such as The Hong Kong National Day Fireworks Display, The Music
Spectacular Water Cube Concert and The Shanghai National Day Concert.
The 'China Daily', the English speaking Chinese newspaper, has informed
Will and Guy that this year's celebrations [2010] include a parade on
October 1st showcasing China's achievements in bolstering its military
power; a celebration with the dual intent of proving China's "resolution
to safeguard world and regional peace and stability."
The pageant, which will include around
200,000 citizens and 60 floats, is centered around the humorously
literal theme "Motherland and I Marching Together". Finally, on National
Day Evening, a gala will be held in Tiananmen Square, featuring party
cadres, senior government officials, and fireworks all on display.
Beijing officials have also prepared a massive outdoor musical entitled
"Road to Revival," featuring a cast of nearly 3,200 people. We have
learned that it will depict the past 169 years of Chinese history from
the Opium War to the present. An exciting and memorable occasion is
being planned we think and one which indicates the improvement in
China's economy in recent years.
The flag of People's Republic of China was adopted in
1949, its red colour symbolises the spirit of the revolution and the
five stars signify the unity of the people of China under the leadership
of the Chinese Communist Party
National Emblem of the People's
Republic of China: adopted in 1950, the Tiananmen is the symbol of
modern China.
The cogwheel and the ears of grain represent the
working class and the peasantry respectively and the five stars
symbolize the solidarity of the various nationalities of China.
The
National Anthem of the Republic of China, composed in 1935 and
originally known as the March of the Volunteers, describes the wrath of
the Chinese people against imperialist aggression and their
determination to protect their motherland against invaders.
National
Colour: Red and Yellow as seen in the Chinese flag and emblem are its
national colours.
National Animal: The Giant Panda is the national
animal of China.
The Chinese Dragon is the symbol of China's feudal
monarchy. The dragon is based on a 7,000-year-old Chinese legend, and
has a horse's head, a snake's body and chicken's claws. It represented
the emperor's power during the years of China's feudal system and it is
also a sign of auspiciousness and wealth among the people.
National
Song: "The East is Red" is a song that was actually the anthem of the
People's Republic of China during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s.
The lyrics of the song were attributed to Li Youyuan, a farmer from
northern Shaanxi, and the melody has its origins in a local folk song.
National Fruit: 'Actinidia deliciosa' is native to southern China, where
it is stated as the "National Fruit" of the People's Republic of China.
Most of us in the West would know it as the kiwifruit.
National
Language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin [Putonghua, based on the Beijing
dialect] is used by the Chinese people besides other minority languages.
National Sport: Table Tennis is the national sport of China. Ping
Pang Qiu is its official name.
Nationalized Patriotic Symbols: The
Great Wall of China is the pride of the Chinese people. It was built
between 5th and 17th century BC to protect the northern borders of the
Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties. The Great Wall
is the world's longest man-made structure.
National Costume: Also
known as national dress, regional costume or folk dress. National
Costume is the expression of a nation's geographical, cultural and
political identity through costume; the Cheongsam and the Qipao.
The
name "cheongsam," 中山 zhōngshān meaning simply "long dress," entered the
English vocabulary from the dialect of China's Guangdong Province
[Cantonese]. In other parts of the country including Beijing, however,
it is known as "qipao" 旗袍 qípáo.
National Flower: China does not have
an "official" national flower, but the tree peony can be regarded as a
national favourite. The peony was voted to the top in a study conducted
in 1994 in every corner of China asking people to select a National
Flower.
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Three Chinese Proverbs
A conversation with a wise person is worth of ten
years' study of books.
Visiting monks give better sermons.
A bird does not sing because it has an
answer. It sings because it has a song.
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