Massive parade showcases nation’s progress

A massive parade on Tuesday morning showcasing China’s historical achievements and the nation’s great rejuvenation was lauded by audiences as a lesson on Chinese history and how far the nation has progressed.

Around 100,000 people and 70 parade floats glided through Tian’anmen Square.

The parade, themed “Jointly Building the Chinese Dream”, lasted 65 minutes and was divided into five major parts, each dedicated to celebrating China’s past and current leaders from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping.

The first part of the formation celebrated Mao and his thoughts, with Mao’s giant portrait and parade floats portraying China’s founding and the people who rallied around the Communist Party of China.

The second part celebrated China’s reform and opening-up and its architect, Deng Xiao­ping, with floats highlighting reforms in rural areas and the groundbreaking achievements of the country’s special economic zones.

The third section celebrated former president Jiang Zemin, who formed the Theory of Three Represents and successfully advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century. A float named “One Country, Two Systems” followed Jiang’s portrait, with compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan waving flags and cheering the nation’s birthday.

The next section was devoted to former president Hu Jintao and his Scientific Outlook on Development. The formations that followed paid tribute to the solidarity of the Chinese people against major natural disasters, such as the major earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008. The next float highlighted the 2008 Beijing Olympics and China’s athletes.

The last section of the mass pageant celebrated China’s major achievements since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, as well as Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

A float on China’s scientific and technological innovation followed Xi’s portrait, showcasing many of the nation’s top accomplishments, from high-speed rail to deep-sea submersibles.

Other floats featured the country’s regional coordinated development strategies, rural vitalization efforts, the rule of law, ethnic unity, Chinese culture, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

The last float of the section was in the shape of a giant Chinese mythical bird, the kunpeng, signifying the soaring power that has driven the progress of the nation, followed by floats representing China’s municipalities, provinces and special administrative regions.