Chinese leaders marked the 60th anniversary of Communist Party rule on Thursday with a precision display of military bravado and a confident prediction by President Hu Jintao that “infinitely bright prospects” lie ahead for the world’s most populous nation. © AP
The dense blanket of smog that had covered China’s capital for days disappeared Thursday morning, leaving crystal skies and perfect autumn temperatures for the columns of armor and thousands of goose-steeping troops that paraded past Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. © AP
“Today, a socialist China geared to modernization, the world and the future has stood rock-firm in the east of the world,” Mr. Hu said in a brief speech. The Chinese people “cannot be prouder of the development and progress of our great motherland.” © AP
They said there would be blue skies, and blue skies there were, as President Hu Jintao stood erect in his limousine Thursday morning to review the troops and to view the country’s high-tech missiles and tanks at the opening of ceremonies marking China’s 60th anniversary as a republic. © AP
After nearly a week of fog and drizzle, it took China’s weather wizards their largest effort yet to deliver the bright blue skies to complement the picture-perfect parade that has been planned and practised in top secret for the past several months. © AP
Although there were no “ordinary” people lining the route to wave flags or to cheer, even on television screens, the goose-stepping soldiers and rolling tanks were a formidable sight as they proceeded down Beijing’s central Chang’an Avenue. © AP
The parade offered the first long look at Chinese military hardware since 1999. Military experts around the world probably won’t be surprised by the 52 new Chinese weapons on display — the missiles, drones and fighter jets — but the home audience is likely to be impressed, and that’s what counts. © AP
As with the civilian parade that followed with 100,000 marchers, 60 floats and a strong message of national unity, most of Thursday’s events were for domestic consumption. © AP
The patriotic intent is also reflected in many of the 50 “official slogans” that have been coined for the anniversary © AP
Red and yellow banners line the main thoroughfares and Chinese flags flutter from every second shop, even in the rundown rabbit warren of hutongs, or lanes, behind the main boulevards. © AP
Everywhere, too, is the army of “volunteers” the Party recruited to keep an eye on things at street level. There are 800,000 of them, clad in bright yellow T-shirts and red ball caps. © AP
Placing armed soldiers and armoured personnel carriers at transit stations and stepping up the screening of parcels and bags in the subway were the earliest and most visible measures taken to keep the capital safe during the celebrations, but it is the things that “aren’t happening” that are probably the most draconian. © AP
Stores near Tiananmen Square — where politicians, diplomats and the creme de la creme of the Communist party were to view the parade — were forced in the name of security to close for business Tuesday, two days ahead of the big event; and the expensive hotels along the Chang’an Avenue, the city’s grand ceremonial boulevard and parade route, were told not to rent out rooms facing the street © AP
As well, people living in the elegant apartment blocks along the route, including many diplomats, were instructed to keep off their balconies on parade day and to shut their windows. © AP
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