Portraits of CPC leaders upheld as socialist China celebrates 60th birthday

BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China Thursday sent to the world a clear signal that it will keep to the socialist road as floats carrying four huge portraits of the Communist Party of China (CPC) leaders from different generations marched past Beijing's Tian'anmen Square in the grand National Day parade.

The portraits of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, mounted on flower-bedecked floats and under the escort of thousands of paraders, spearheaded four formations showcasing New China's development over the past 60 years.

Loudspeakers relayed a different soundtrack for each of the four leaders, amid applause and cheering from the audience as each portrait appeared.

"I am very excited at the four portraits," said Wang Weiguo, 49,a resident standing in the reviewing stand.

"In four historical periods, the four CPC leaders and their comrades have led the people onto the course of development so that we can live such a good life," he said.

Along with the portraits, political slogans representative of the leaders' eras appeared in the parade: "Long Live Mao Zedong Thought!" "The Chinese people have stood up!" "Uphold the Deng Xiaoping Theory, advance the reform and opening-up and the cause of socialist modernization!" "Stick to the important thought of 'Three Represents,' build a moderately prosperous society in all aspects!" and "Implement the Scientific Outlook on Development, unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics!"

Ten years ago, portraits of Mao, Deng and Jiang were displayed in the civilian parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of New China.