Published 11:28 IST, September 30th 2019
Xi Jinping bows to Chinese leader Mao Zedong ahead of 70th anniversary
The President of China Xi Jinping paid his respect to the founder of the communist state Mao Zedong on September 30 ahead of China's 70th anniversary.
The President of the People's Republic of China and the leader of the communist party, Xi Jinping paid his respect to the founder of the communist state, Mao Zedong on September 30. Ahead of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the country, Xi also led other officials to acknowledge the contribution of the former leader. At Mao's mausoleum in the center of Beijing's Tiananmen Square, Xi bowed three times and paid respects. Soon after his death in 1976, the statue was laid in the hulking chamber. On the day that has been designated as the Martyr's day, Xi Jinping also paid tribute to the military by visiting the nearby Monument to the People's Heroes.
Read - Donald Trump 'concerned' By Risk Of Violent Hong Kong Crackdown, Says Will Speak To Xi Jinping Soon
National Day celebrations
The National day celebrations will also be marked by a grand military parade passing through the city of 20 million people. The celebrations will highlight the enormous transformation of China after Japan's World War II invasion along with the civil war to now becoming the world's second-largest economy. The country has also marked breakthrough technologies like artificial intelligence and 5G communications. The nationwide celebrations will also mark its growing military and the democratic influence of the challenges created by the leadership in the United States.
China's rapid developing weaponry
On October 1, the parade will also display China's rapid growing weaponry, which might even include the nuclear-capable Dongfeng 41 missile which evidently can reach the US in 30 minutes. The parade is expected to be attended by the President from the top of the iconic Tiananmen Gate and there are further plans to invite 15,000 troops, along with nearly 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of military equipment. This massive display of military dominance of China is retrospected as a way to accentuate the country's ambition to enforce its claims to Taiwan, a self-governing territory that is held by Japan.
The Stable State
30 years after the party used its military power to crush the pro-democracy movement which centered on the Tiananmen square, the communist state appears more stable than ever. The leader of the People's Republic of China has managed to revive the love of the communist party and the state which was missing under the leadership of Mao. This has also helped the nation to attain the “Chinese Dream” of global dominance while destroying any sign of political dissent. Moreover, Xi currently does not have serious political rivals and raised the standard with the recent drive of anti-corruption.
(With inputs from AP)
Updated 13:53 IST, September 30th 2019