BEIJING, Oct 1(ABC): China is marking Martyrs’ Day to remember its revolutionary martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives for national causes. Events are being held across the country. Here in the capital, President Xi Jinping and senior officials have laid flowers and paid tribute at the Monument to the People’s Heroes at Tian’anmen Square. Zhao Yunfei reports.
A solemn event marking China’s Martyrs’ Day.
People from all walks of life gather at Tian’anmen Square to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for the independence and prosperity of the nation.
Representatives of the organizers and participants of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are also among the participants.
Chinese President Xi Jinping lays flowers at the Monument to the People’s Heroes.
Historical estimates put the number of Chinese martyrs killed since the first Opium War in 1840 at 20 million, many of them nameless.
China has a long tradition of commemorating those who have served the country.
In 2014, China’s top legislature designated September 30 as the national Martyrs’ Day and in 2018 a law was passed making it illegal to defame heroes.
“This is the day for the Chinese people to cultivate patriotism, collectivism, and socialist moralities. China’s Martyrs’ Day comes one day ahead of the National Day on October 1. Also in October, the 20th CPC National Congress will be convened. It will be a crucial moment as the nation embarks on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, Beijing.”