-As China marks 70 years of Communist leadership
By Francis Pelenah Jr, in Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping has lauded the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Police for their continuous demonstration of love for country and the protection of the Chinese People.
President Xi, who is also the Commander-In-Chief and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged Chinese servicemen and women to rededicate themselves to national service in defense of “our people”.
The Communist party leader was addressing a gathering of over 100 thousand people at a mass colorful Military parade and pageantry at the historic Tiananmen Square in Beijing to mark China’s National Day.
Mr. Xi was joined at the ceremony by an array of current and past Chinese Leaders including former Presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.
Local media in Beijing and some respected foreign media have branded China’s 70-year parade as a demonstration of the country’s economic and military might, as well as its strategic ambitions.
The People’s Liberation Army fired heavy artillery gun salute in honor of comrades that lost their lives in China’s fight for Independence.
“No force can shake the status of our great motherland, and no force can stop the progress of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation,” the Chinese leader added.
After his speech, the President rode in an open-topped limousine past dozens of rows of truck-mounted missiles, armored personnel carriers and other military gear.
As a tradition of the National Day event, Soldiers in helmets and combat gear shouted, “Hello, leader!” and “Serve the people!” President Xi replied by saying, “Hello, comrades, you are hard-working”.
The event marks the anniversary of the Oct. 1, 1949, announcement of the founding of the People’s Republic of China by then-leader Mao Zedong following a civil war.
According to official figures, the military parade through central Beijing included 15,000 troops and more than 160 aircrafts.
“We gathered here today for a grand rally to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
“Right at this moment, Chinese people of all ethnic groups and all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad take pride in and give our best wishes to our great motherland with great joy,” he added.
He then remembered revolutionary forefathers and martyrs for their feats in pursuing national independence and liberation, a stronger and more prosperous country and the people’s well-being.
Xi also expressed heartfelt gratitude to friends around the world for their caring for and support to China’s development.
Reflecting on how far the country has come since independence, President Xi said the founding of the PRC has completely changed China’s ‘miserable fate of being poor and weak and being bullied and humiliated in over 100 years since the start of modern times’.
“Seventy years ago on this day, Comrade Mao Zedong solemnly declared here to the world that the People Republic of China was founded and the Chinese people had stood up,” he added.
He said the Chinese nation has since then embarked on the path of realizing national rejuvenation and that no force can stop Chinese people, nation from marching forward.
Xi underlined the importance of ensuring the principal status of the people, staying on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and fully implementing the Party’s basic theory, line and policy.
He also called for efforts to constantly meet people’s aspirations for a better life and make new historic achievements.
Xi pledged that the country will stay on the path of peaceful development, and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up.
He stressed that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police Force should always preserve their nature, purpose and character as the forces of the people, resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and firmly uphold world peace.