Xi Jinping Lays Wreath at Monument to the People's Heroes One Day Before National Day, Emphasizes 'Heroic Spirit'

[Financial News] China held a large-scale event honoring fallen martyrs on Sept. 30, one day before National Day marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The event emphasized 'patriotism' and the 'heroic spirit.'
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 13th Martyrs' Day wreath-laying ceremony held that morning in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
The event was attended by more than 1,800 representatives from all walks of life, including China's top leadership, such as Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, as well as Vice President Han Zheng.
An oversized flower basket bearing the words "Bless the Motherland" was placed in the center of Tiananmen Square, while 18 wreaths made of white chrysanthemums and other flowers were placed north of the Monument to the People's Heroes.
At 10 a.m. local time, honor guards from the Army, Navy and Air Force marched into formation in front of the monument to the accompaniment of a military band.
The Chinese national anthem then rang out, and attendees observed a moment of silence to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the liberation of the Chinese people and the building of New China.
Children wearing red scarves looked toward the Monument to the People's Heroes and sang in unison, "We are successors to communism."
Xi walked to the front of the monument and personally straightened the red ribbons attached to the wreaths. He then slowly circled the monument with other leaders and paid his respects.
The inscription "The People's Heroes Live Forever," written by former President Mao Zedong, is carved into the Monument to the People's Heroes.
After the top leadership, children and representatives from all walks of life came forward one by one to lay flowers and honor the fallen.
China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast the entire ceremony live, while state media outlets including Xinhua News Agency linked the event to the so-called "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" and emphasized messages of unity and patriotism.
China previously held its ceremony honoring the people's heroes on Oct. 1, National Day, but designated Sept. 30 as a national Martyrs' Day in 2014 to underscore the commemorative significance.
Since then, China has held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square every year on that date, attended by the top leadership and representatives from all walks of life.

[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Specialist Reporter