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 by Staff Writers Beijing (AFP) Sept 30, 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his respects to Chairman Mao Zedong's embalmed body Monday in a rare gesture ahead of China's celebration of 70 years of Communist rule. Xi and other top Chinese officials visited Mao's mausoleum -- located in the heart of Beijing in Tiananmen Square -- and bowed three times to the late leader's statue, reported official news agency Xinhua. He also paid respects to the remains of Mao, whose embalmed body is kept in a glass display at the memorial hall. The last time a Chinese leader bowed to the statue of the "Great Helmsman" was six years ago, when Xi commemorated Mao's 120th birthday. The move to honour the founder of the People's Republic of China comes as the country readies itself for a day of tightly-choreographed festivities, including a massive military parade and the release of 70,000 doves. The anniversary is meant to showcase China's extraordinary rise from the ravages of war and famine to a modern, powerful nation state whose economic and military muscle is viewed by many with increasing concern. But the celebration comes in a very bad year for the Chinese president. The US-China trade spat threatens to pummel the global economy, while African swine fever has sent the price of pork -- the country's staple -- soaring. Months of unrest and pro-democracy protests in semi-autonomous Hong Kong also threaten to upstage Tuesday's celebrations, with fierce clashes between protesters and riot police erupting on Sunday. Democracy activists in the financial hub have vowed to ramp up their nearly four-month-long campaign ahead of the National Day, which Hong Kong protesters have dubbed a "Day of Grief". On Monday morning, Xi and other leaders of the Communist Party of China also attended a wreath-laying ceremony to honour national heroes on Tiananmen Square. A choir of children in crisp white shirts and red scarves sang before Xi approached the Monument to the People's Heroes -- a tall obelisk in the middle of the square -- where baskets of flowers decorated with red banners were placed. "A promising nation must have heroes, and a country with future prospects must have pioneers," said state-run CCTV in a broadcast of the ceremony, quoting Xi.
Xi presents awards to 'heroes' and 'old friends' of China The award ceremony is part of China's celebrations to mark 70 years of Communist rule, which will kick off on Tuesday with a massive military parade in Beijing aimed at showcasing the country's emergence as a global superpower. "The heroes and role models are all devoted to the cause of the Party and the people... and hold fast to working for the happiness of the Chinese people," said Xi in a speech following the presentation of awards. Isabel Crook, a Canadian anthropologist and educator born in 1915, was the oldest awardee present and had lived in China since before the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, according to official news agency Xinhua. Born in the southwest city of Chengdu, the centenarian made "outstanding contributions in the cause for China's education and friendly exchanges with foreign countries," Xinhua reported. Former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, an "old friend of the Chinese people", was recognised for his "long-term commitment to promoting China-France friendship", said Xinhua. Other international awardees included former Cuban president Raul Castro and Thai princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. A total of 42 individuals were given awards, though only 29 recipients were present at the ceremony. Tu Youyou, the first Chinese citizen to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for helping create anti-malaria medicine, was among the list of Chinese awardees, as well as Yu Min, a nuclear physicist widely regarded as the "father of China's hydrogen bomb."
China then and now: the PRC at 70 Beijing (AFP) Sept 25, 2019 As the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China approaches, the country is looking very different from when the Communist Party seized power. Here are some of the key ways in which the country - and citizens - have changed since the PRC was founded on October 1, 1949: City Living Some 70 years ago, the vast majority of Chinese people were rural, with just 10 percent of the population residing in cities. By 2019, China is a country of urbanites, with at least s ... read more
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