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Massive Parade Marks China's 60th Birthday

Huge festivities combine modern power with Communist kitsch

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2009 7:26 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A massive procession of tanks, troops, and nuclear missile launchers paraded through Beijing today, 60 years after Mao Zedong stood in Tiananmen Square and proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China. The rigorously choreographed procession combined old-school Communist imagery—including tens of thousands of children flipping colored cards to create slogans like "Loyalty to the party"—with modern touches like a model of the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium and a float promoting environmentalism. Only 30,000 spectators were allowed to attend; Beijingers were told to watch on TV instead.

President Hu Jintao, swapping his normal Western suit for a Mao-style black tunic, boarded an open-top limousine to inspect the troops, who shouted "Serve the people!" as he passed. Television commentators offered party-friendly analysis to hundreds of millions of viewers. At one point an announcer proclaimed that Mao Zedong Thought has been "proven correct," while another glossed over unrest in Tibet and Xinjiang: "Look at all our ethnic groups holding hands and dancing together! They are a moving picture of harmonious unity."

Women members of the militia, a civilian reserve force under China's military, march past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking China's 60th anniversary in Beijing, Thursday Oct. 1, 2009.
Women members of the militia, a civilian reserve force under China's military, march past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking China's 60th anniversary in Beijing, Thursday Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
China celebrated its rise to a world power over 60 years of Communist rule Thursday, staging its biggest-ever parade of military hardware with over a hundred thousand marching masses.
China celebrated its rise to a world power over 60 years of Communist rule Thursday, staging its biggest-ever parade of military hardware with over a hundred thousand marching masses.   (AP Photo)
China's missiles are carried in Beijing's Tiananmen Gate.
China's missiles are carried in Beijing's Tiananmen Gate.   (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Hu Jintao stands above a car to inspect the military parade.
Hu Jintao stands above a car to inspect the military parade.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
China's President Hu Jintao, fifth from left, flanked by former president Jiang Zemin, fifth from right, and other party leaders.
China's President Hu Jintao, fifth from left, flanked by former president Jiang Zemin, fifth from right, and other party leaders.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Wu Xiaoling)
A painting showing the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong declaring the founding of People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949.
A painting showing the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong declaring the founding of People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949.   (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Chinese military jets fly over Tiananmen Square.
Chinese military jets fly over Tiananmen Square.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Female soldiers march past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking China's 60th anniversary in Beijing, China, Thursday Oct. 1, 2009.
Female soldiers march past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking China's 60th anniversary in Beijing, China, Thursday Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
A float depicting China's space achievements participates in a parade to mark the 60th China anniversary in Beijing, China, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.
A float depicting China's space achievements participates in a parade to mark the 60th China anniversary in Beijing, China, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Thousands of army cadets march in formation through the square.
Thousands of army cadets march in formation through the square.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Xie Huanchi)
A portrait of China's president Hu Jintao moves past the Tiananmen Gate.
A portrait of China's president Hu Jintao moves past the Tiananmen Gate.   (AP Photo)
Participants march during a grand parade in Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of China Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.
Participants march during a grand parade in Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of China Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Jojo
Oct 1, 2009 12:48 PM CDT
Every time I read something about China it reminds me how utterly stupid the people that complain about Obama are.

 
China • Beijing • Communist Party • Hu Jintao • Mao Zedong • Chinese Communist party • parade • People's Republic of China

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