Civilian pageant highlights China's 60-year rise to world stage

BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Civilian formations marched in Tian'anmen Square as another centerpiece of the National Day fete marking the 60th birthday of the People's Republic of China.

The phalanx of national flag receives inspection in a parade of the  celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's  Republic of China, on Chang'an Street in central Beijing, capital of  China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Leading the mass pageant was the formation presenting the national flag and national emblem. A total of 1,949 young men held up and escorted the flag, the largest-yet displayed during China's national day parades in Tian'anmen. The flag weighs about 150 kilograms and covers nearly 600 square meters, bigger than a basketball court.

In succession, four giant portraits of late Chinese leader Chairman Mao Zedong, chief architect of China's economic reform Deng Xiaoping, former President Jiang Zemin and incumbent Hu Jintao, were carried through the square escorted by some 36,000 paraders.

Their voice recorded at significant historical moments, from Mao's proclamation of the founding of the central government to Hu's calling for the building of a comprehensive well-off society, was replayed during the procession, illustrating their outstanding leadership and wisdom.

The portraits were accompanied by floats featuring different themes, including "self-reliance" for the Mao period, "reform and opening-up" for Deng's era, Jiang's "three represents" and Hu's "scientific development".