Tian'anmen Square Greets International Labor DayThe first ray of day-light has not yet shown, the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, has been crowded with thousands of people waiting for the flag-raising ceremony on the International Labor Day.At 5:14, as the National Anthem was being played, the five-star red national flag was gradually hoisted under the rosy clouds in the eastern sky. Tian'anmen Square, known as "the heart of China" and witnessed major events in China's modern history, greeted the first International Labor Day of the new century. 55-year old Pan Liren, together with several other model workers from Shenzhen, a showcase of China's reform and opening up achievements in south China's Guangdong Province, were among the crowds. "I deeply feel the greatness of our country at this special moment," said Pan. "We are masters of our country and will contribute more to the country's prosperity," said his companion. A Chinese couple now living in France came bringing their son. The kid held in hand a mini-flag with a design symbolizing the 2008 Olympic Games, wishing Beijing to win Olympic Games Bidding. "My son, though born in France, strongly supports Beijing's bidding for the Olympics," said the father. "We Chinese residing overseas can now hold our heads high as our country is getting increasingly stronger, and we wish for its even more prosperous." Stirred with emotion, a tourist from Hong Kong said the national flag on Tian'anmen Square represents the hope of all the Chinese people. Since May 1, 1991 when the new flag-rising ceremony was inaugurated, it has attracted some 110 million people, from both home and abroad. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |