Jump to content

60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ArthurDuhurst (talk | contribs) at 00:09, 2 October 2009 (→Floats: mentioned the four giant portraits). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China
red logo in the shape of the number '60'
Logo for the 60th anniversary of the PRC
Date1 October 2009 (2009-10-01)
Also known as中华人民共和国成立六十周年庆典
WebsiteXinhua
People's Daily
China Daily
Global Times

The 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国成立六十周年庆典; traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國成立六十周年慶典) took place on 1 October 2009.[1] A military parade involving 8,000 troops and the display of many weapons was held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing and various celebrations were conducted all over the country. This parade was immediately followed by a civilian parade involving 100,000 participants.

Background

The 60th Anniversary Military Parade took place on Chang'an Avenue, beneath Tiananmen.

The People's Republic of China was founded on 1 October 1949. Since then, celebrations of varying scales occur on National Day each year. Military parades were held every year between 1949 and 1959, and were presided over by Chairman Mao Zedong. In September 1960, the Chinese leadership decided that in order to save funds and "be frugal", large-scale ceremonies for National Day will only be held every ten years, with a smaller-scale ceremony every five years.[2] Because of the chaos caused by the Cultural Revolution, however, large-scale celebrations did not take place for 24 years.[2] Since then, the most prominent National Day celebrations have taken place in 1984 and 1999, at the 35th and 50th Anniversaries, respectively. During these celebrations, then-paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin reviewed military parades of the People's Liberation Army. 2009 will be the first time Hu Jintao oversees this task.

Preparations

Banner in Shenzhen in late August

40 million potted flowers, supplied by the state-owned Beijing Flowers & Trees Corp., were put in place in Beijing streets, approximately 5 million of which have been planted along the east-west axis of Chang'an Avenue, also known as 'Avenue of Eternal Peace'. Flowers in Tiananmen Square were under 24-hour surveillance; Beijing Jinggong Red Flag factory is producing 2 million national flags for the celebrations.[3] In Tiananmen Square itself, 56 "pillars of national unity" – each one symbolizing the 56 ethnic groups in China – were erected, with each containing fireworks for the night event on October 1.[4] 800,000 volunteers controlled crowds and maintained order while a further 30,000 provided translation services at subway and bus stations.[5]

Mosquitoes, rats, flies and cockroaches were the targets of professional exterminators – four unannounced night-time sweeps have been carried out around Tiananmen Square in Beijing including the Forbidden City complex to its north. The public are encouraged to support the eradication through red slogan banners along Beijing streets and alleys in what The Times said was reminiscent of the Four Pests campaign. One of the slogans read: “Eradicate the four pests, stress hygiene. Cleanly, cleanly welcome National Day!” [6]

Tiananmen Square was sealed off for the day on 29 August for the first rehearsals.[7] Tens of thousands of fully costumed performers once again rehearsed on 16 September.[8] The military are also preparing: several hundred vehicles rolled down Chang'an Avenue on 6 September.[9] parts of Beijing were closed down on 18 September for the final rehearsals of the anniversary parade. Police cleared streets and office buildings on the main roadways near Tiananmen Square from noon onwards for rehearsals that evening. State media have gone into overdrive, and have, for example, highlighted how thousands of troops who have spent four months drilling to march in step on a mock practice ground with scale model of Chang'an Avenue complete with the leadership reviewing stand.[10] Following disruptions caused by the drills which shut roads and large parts of the Beijing Subway, Xinhua News Agency announced that the final rehearsal parade, scheduled for 26 September, was called off.[11]

Security

The Sunday Times reported that "thousands of agents will stage a security clampdown exceeding anything seen for the 2008 Olympic Games".[12] Police in Beijing and neighbouring provinces are in a heightened state of readiness: armed police started night patrols beginning 15 September until the end of the festivities.[3] All basements in the city are subject to inspection by police, while some restaurants with roof terraces are not permitted to seat patrons on sides overlooking the street for the duration.[9] However, despite the supposed high alert around Beijing, a man armed with a knife killed two people and injured 12 in the heart of Beijing on 17 September.[13] Peter Ford of the Christian Science Monitor said that the stabbing incident had been played down locally.[14] Following the attacks, the knives were removed from sale at some stores such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour.[15]

Thousands of paramilitary officers have been deployed at bridges, road tunnels and other strategic points in the city.[16] Residents have been warned that if they stepped out onto balconies along the route, they may be shot.[12] 30,000 people with tickets have been invited to watch the event, but others were encouraged to watch it on television to "avoid complications."[17]

The Times says the authorities have engaged counter-terrorist units and informers in districts where Xinjiang Muslims live, have placed Tibetan Buddhists under surveillance, and have arrested dissidents.[12] Peasants have been blocked from coming to the capital to present their grievances as petitions;[12] the government has ordered the search of all cars entering Beijing. The security drive organised by the Ministry of Public Security a stability drive in Beijing, as well as neighbouring Hebei, Liaoning, Shandong and Shanxi provinces, the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and the Tianjin Municipality was dubbed a "Security Moat" by a senior official. The official said the "safety of China's National Day celebrations and stability in Beijing was of overriding importance."[18] The Times reported Internet users saying censorship has "never been so restrictive": many sites have been blocked, among which Facebook and Twitter.[12]

Other security arrangements in place included relocation of mailboxes and newspaper stands along Chang'an Avenue; closure of or restricted opening of some of the hotels along the route, for example, The Beijing Hotel, the Beijing News Plaza Hotel and the Beijing International Hotel, is closed to visitors between 29 September and 2 October. Other hotels on Chang'an Avenue will close guest rooms facing the main road during the celebrations.[3]

Media

The government established media centre at the Media Center Hotel catering to journalists covering celebrations. It was opened from 22 September until 2 October. The centre's deputy Zhu Shouchen, said they had so far received applications from more than 4,500 journalists around the world, including some 1,300 journalists from 346 media organisations in 108 countries. Almost 400 of them are said to be from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.[19]

A film entitled The Founding of a Republic was commissioned by China's film regulator and made by the China Film Group (CFG) to mark the anniversary, and it was released nationwide on 17 September. The film retells the tale of the Communist ascendancy and triumph, and has a star-studded cast including Zhang Ziyi, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and directors Jiang Wen, Chen Kaige and John Woo, many of whom make brief cameos appearances; the leading roles — such as revolutionary leader Mao Zedong — will be played by lesser known actors. CFG chairman Han Sanping co-directed the film with Huang Jianxin. A CFG spokesman said many stars answered Han's call to appear in the film, and waived their fee. Thus, the movie kept to its modest budget of 60–70 million yuan (US$8.8–$10 million). According to the executive at one of China's top multiplex chains, the film unusually marries "the core of an 'ethically inspiring' film" — code for propaganda films, according to the Associated Press — "with commercial packaging."[20]

Parades

Military parade

The military parade took place on Chang'an Avenue, and the country's leaders watch the parade from Tiananmen, above Mao's portrait. For the anniversary, the Chinese government budgeted roughly $44 million for the military parade, with some budget cuts due to the recent global financial crisis.[21] The parade is expected to display 52 new types of military hardware, including J-10 fighter aircraft, ZTZ99 main battle tank, five new types of nuclear and conventional missiles, Kongjing-200 and Kongjing-2000 early-warning aircraft, an unnamed attack helicopter, and new models of the Type-95 rifle and Type-03 machine gun.[22]

The five new types of missiles were paraded by the Second Artillery Corps. The Second Artillery's display included 108 total missiles and is intended to showcase China's strategic deterrence capabilities.[23]

List of military craft paraded

Chinese official state media states that all equipment displayed in the parade are manufactured in China, with 90% of them first displayed to the public. The equipment are listed in the order of appearance, with new appearances in bold:

Floats

Sixty floats showcasing themes such as "progress of the motherland", "scientific development", "brilliant achievement" and "beautiful prosperous China" will pass by Tiananmen Square.[24] Dozens of floats were surrounded by groups of either 1949 or 2009 marchers, and the total number of people marching in the parade was one hundred thousand. One float had a giant portrait of Mao Zedong which was immediately followed by similar floats with equally large portraits of Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao. (The XinHua News article on the "Civilian Pageant" shows all four.) A float with 181 foreigners from 53 countries will also take part under a float named "One World".[25]

Commemorative coins and stamps

Front and back of a limited edition (100) one-kilogram gold commemorative coin of face value 10,000 yuan

Three types of gold coins and two types of silver coins will be issued by the People's Bank of China on 16 September to commemorate the anniversary. A total of 60,700 gold coins with face values of ¥10,000, 2,000 yuan, and 100 yuan will be issued. A total of 106,000 silver coins with the face values of 300 and 10 yuan will be issued. All the coins, produced by Shenzhen Guobao Mint and Shenyang Mint, and distributed by the China Gold Coin Incorporation, are legal tender.[26]

The obverse of the coins features China's national emblem, set in a frieze of peonies. The reverse includes various designs including a rocket, a satellite, a high-speed train and the Beijing Olympic Stadium. Other forms will show designs of an open gate, a bridge or urban construction. They will bear Chinese characters saying: "In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 1949-2009."[26]

On 20 October 2009, the China National Philatelic Corporation issued three collections in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary. There are two stamp albums priced at ¥380 and ¥680, and a stamp scroll priced at ¥1,280.[27]

File:HK 60 anniv stamps.jpg
HK $10 minisheet (left) and souvenir sheet (right)

Hongkong Post issues a set of six commemorative stamps and a stamp sheetlet on 1 October. The stamps are fan-shaped, and are based on the winning entries of a design competition: Victoria Harbour and Tiananmen Square are depicted on two interlocking cogwheels on the $1.40 stamp; the five-star national flag flying by the side of the "Forever Blooming Bauhinia" ($1.80). The Bird's Nest stadium will be on the $2.40, while China's manned spacecraft Shenzhou 7 will be depicted on the $2.50. The Temple of Heaven features on the $3 value and a golden dragon soaring above the Great Wall will adorn the $5 stamp. A souvenir sheet will feature all six stamps which form a perfect ring on the with the accompanying number "6", together forming the number "60". Hong Kong's stamp sheetlet has two $5 stamps in Chinese red, one featuring Beijing and one Victoria. The National Emblem and Tiananmen on the left and the Regional Emblem above a night view of Hong Kong.[28]

Incidents

Kyodo reporters assault

On 18 September, three employees from the Japanese Kyodo News agency were assaulted by officials in their Beijing hotel room as they tried to cover the rehearsals of the parade.[29] The three employees include a Japanese cameraman, reporter and a Chinese assistant were kicked and made to kneel.[30] A foreign ministry official regretted the incident, but said the reporters did not comply with a notification to news organisations not to cover the rehearsal.[29]

See also

References

  1. ^ "60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China". China Daily.
  2. ^ a b "Wei Jianfeng: Looking back at 13 military parades since the founding of the PRC". 東方軍事 (Eastday) (in Chinese).
  3. ^ a b c China Daily (15 September 2009). "Flowers decorate streets of Beijing". Sina.com.
  4. ^ "'Pillars of National Unity' set up in Tian'anmen Square". China Daily. 15 September 2009.
  5. ^ Ng, Grace (26 September 2009). "Excitement over China's N-Day". The Straits Times.
  6. ^ Macartney, Jane (3 September 2009). "China wages war on pests before 60th anniversary of Communist rule". The Times.
  7. ^ Kligman, Aimee (29 August 2009). "China rehearsing for its 60th anniversary". The Examiner.
  8. ^ Xinhua (17 September 2009). "Rehearsal for National Day celebration held in Beijing". Sina.com.
  9. ^ a b AP (6 September 2009). "60th anniversary rehearsal". The Straits Times.
  10. ^ Hutzler, Charles (19 September 2009). "Dry run: Beijing shuts early for parade practice". Associated Press.
  11. ^ "Beijing cancels National Day rehearsal after disruptions". Reuters. 18 September 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d e Sheridan, Michael (27 September 2009). "China reaches out on 60th anniversary". The Sunday Times.
  13. ^ Branigan, Tania (17 September 2009). "Stabbings in Beijing ahead of National Day". The Guardian.
  14. ^ Ford, Peter (17 September 2009). "China covers up Tiananmen knifing amid 60th anniversary security boost". Christian Science Monitor.
  15. ^ Associated Press (22 September 2009). "Security overdrive as Beijing readies for show of a lifetime". The Standard.
  16. ^ Wong, Yee Fong (19 September 2009). "China tightens security ahead of anniversary celebrations". Channel NewsAsia.
  17. ^ "China set for mass celebrations". BBC News. 30 September 2009.
  18. ^ Xinhua (23 September 2009). "Senior leader calls for all-inclusive Beijing security checks". Chinaviwew.
  19. ^ Xinhua (22 September 2009). "China opens media center for coverage of 60th National Day celebrations". Chinaviwew.
  20. ^ Lee, Min (3 September 2009). "China injects star power into anniversary film". {{cite news}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  21. ^ "China to hold frugal 60th anniversary parade". RIA Novosti. 30 January 2009.
  22. ^ "Six Most Anticipated 'New Weapons' in the National Day Parade". People's Daily. 23 September 2009.
  23. ^ Zhongguo Xinwen She, "Second Artillery To Debut 5 New Strategic Missiles At National Day Parade", September 28, 2009.
  24. ^ Foster, Peter (30 September 2009). "China celebrates 60th anniversary but the public isn't invited". The Daily Telegraph.
  25. ^ Tong, Xiong (30 September 2009). "One day in Beijing, once in a lifetime". Xinhua.
  26. ^ a b Xinhua (2 September 2009). "Central Bank to issue coins commemorating 60th anniversary of founding of New China". People's Daily.
  27. ^ "Celebration of The 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China". China National Philatelic Corporation. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
  28. ^ "Special Stamp Issue - '60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China'". Hongkong Post Newsletter. September 2009.
  29. ^ a b AFP (22 September 2009). "Assault on reporters regretted". Straitstimes.com.
  30. ^ AP (18 September 2009). "Chinese authorities assault 3 Kyodo News journalists in Beijing".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=60th_anniversary_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China&oldid=317382320"