Today, October 1st, marks the 70th anniversary of the start of Communist rule in China and Beijing is celebrating with fireworks and more importantly its biggest military parade yet.
The celebration comes as Hong Kong continues its anti-government protests.
Kim Hyesung reports.
Standing in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized unity, development and strength as he addressed the world on the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
"Today, a socialist China is standing proudly in the world's east, and no force can change the position of our great motherland, and no force can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation from forging ahead. While forging ahead, China must uphold the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party."
President Xi's speech was followed by a military parade showcasing China's industrial and scientific achievements, including 15-thousand troops, 160 aircraft and 580 weaponry systems such as the Dongfeng-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, which is believed to be capable of circumventing U.S. missile defense systems.
China's 70th anniversary celebration comes as Beijing faces multiple challenges from its slowest economic growth in decades and ongoing trade war with the U.S. to protests in Hong Kong.
While Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam was in Beijing to celebrate China's National Day, the anti-government protests in Hong
Kong that have rocked the city since June continued through Tuesday.
Several train stations and major malls throughout Hong Kong were closed for the day out of safety concerns.
Touching on the issue, President Xi Jinping emphasized that the “one country, two systems” principle under which Hong Kong has been governed since its return from British rule in 1997 must be upheld and is crucial for the long-term prosperity and stability of the territory.
Hong Kong usually hosts celebratory events for the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, but this year the fireworks and festivities were cancelled.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.
