4th rehearsal for National Day wraps up

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In Beijing, a joint dress rehearsal has been held ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It was the fourth and last round of rehearsals before the formal national day celebration.

The practice consisted of a military parade, a pageant parade and a dry run of background images. The event lasted from 10pm Friday to 1am Saturday.

Tian'an Men Square was arranged and decorated just as it will be on the National Day. The 56 columns representing ethnic unity flanked the square, and 60 floating lanterns hovered in the air.

The troop review and ceremonial march began first on Chang'an Avenue. It was followed by a pageant parade, comprised of over 100-thousand people and 60 floats. 80 thousand primary and secondary school students flipped oversized cards on cue to form pictures and Chinese characters as a background.

Meanwhile, more than one thousand journalists from over 15 domestic news agencies also took part in rehearsals at the site. China Central Television, which is responsible for the live transmission of the military parade, was busy conducting a comprehensive rehearsal.

There will be 6 live transmission systems, installed both at the core areas of Tian'an Men Square and its surrounding areas.

Lv Yuan, TV transmission director of CCTV, said, "The 5 transmission systems at the core of Tian'an Men Square are similar as what were used at the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic. Only the 6th system, which will set up in the surrounding area, is new this time."

Meanwhile, related officials say they have cancelled the scheduled rehearsal on September the 26th. The decision was made to minimize the inconvenience brought to the public.