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China marks Communist anniversary Communist China marks 60th year
(about 1 hour later)
China is staging mass celebrations to mark 60 years since the Communist Party came to power. China has been staging mass celebrations to mark 60 years since the Communist Party came to power.
Vast lines of tanks, soldiers and missile launchers are being paraded through the capital Beijing. The day started with vast lines of tanks, soldiers and missile launchers parading through the capital Beijing.
President Hu Jintao has appeared on the rostrum at Tiananmen Square in a black Mao-style tunic, seen by analysts as a symbol of his control of the military. Later, in Tiananmen Square, there was a spectacular fireworks show and a concert of patriotic songs and dancing.
However in Nepal, police detained more than 70 Tibetan exiles who marked the day with a protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.
'Bright future'
National Day is an annual highlight for the Chinese government, but extra effort has been made to mark the 60th anniversary.
Portraits of China's Communist leaders were paraded through the square
Celebrations began in the morning, with troops firing cannons and raising the red national flag, while President Hu Jintao, wearing a black Mao Zedong-style tunic, looked on.
He was joined by his predecessor Jiang Zemin, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior leaders.He was joined by his predecessor Jiang Zemin, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior leaders.
After a 60-gun salute, the Chinese flag was formally raised in the centre of the historic square - where revolutionary leader Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949. Mr Hu, speaking from the same spot where Mao had stood 60 years ago to formally proclaim the founding of the People's Republic of China, claimed his country had a bright future.
The military parade, expected to show previously unseen missile technology, followed a drive-by inspection of the armed forces and a speech by President Hu which lauded China's progress. "Today a socialist China that faces the future is standing tall and firm in the East," he declared.
The president, speaking from the same spot where Mao Zedong had stood 60 years ago, claimed China had a bright future, had made global economic strides and would unite all cultures and ethnicities within it. "The development and progress of the new China over the past 60 years fully proved that only socialism can save China, and only reform and opening up can ensure the development of China," Mr Hu told the crowd.
High security After his speech, there was a two-hour parade of 8,000 soldiers, tanks and missiles - including long-range nuclear missiles and other home-grown weapons.
In pictures: China parade China: 60 years in facts and figures John Simpson on China's changes What next for China?In pictures: China parade China: 60 years in facts and figures John Simpson on China's changes What next for China?
Security forces have been deployed in force across Beijing, ahead of a pageant featuring ordinary citizens, which will also take place in Tiananmen Square. The military show was followed by a colourful parade, with singers and dancers in elaborate costumes moving in exact unison, reminiscent of the Olympic opening ceremony last year.
Some 30,000 people have been invited to watch the events, but others are being encouraged to stay at home and watch it on TV to "avoid complications". National sports hero Liu Xiang and taikonaut Zhai Zhigang, as well as other Chinese celebrities, rode through the crowds on brightly decorated floats.
Armed police in body armour have taken up positions at major road junctions in the capital, with snipers spotted on buildings along the parade route on Chang'an Avenue. Giant portraits of all China's communist leaders were paraded through the square.
Roads have been blocked off, the international airport closed and the subway disrupted. Even the weather co-operated with the celebrations; cloud-seeding the day before brought overnight showers to disperse the smog and bring in clear skies.
Many shops and businesses have been closed along the route and a new portrait of Mao Zedong has been installed in Tiananmen Square. High security
President Hu Jintao said China would ''push forward the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait'' Some 30,000 people were invited to watch the events, but others were encouraged to stay at home and watch the festivities on TV to "avoid complications".
Some reports say the extravaganza will use twice as many fireworks as featured in the opening ceremony to last year's Olympic Games. Security was tight, and armed police in body armour were at major road junctions in the capital, with snipers spotted on buildings along the parade route on Chang'an Avenue.
National Day is an annual highlight for the Chinese government, but extra effort has been made to mark the 60th anniversary of what China sees as the start of its transformation from an impoverished country into a global contender. Roads were blocked off, the international airport closed and the subway disrupted.
On the eve of the festivities, the country's leaders held a dinner for 4,000 people in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Premier Wen Jiabao praised China's development and said he was looking forward to celebrating "the centenary of New China" in 40 years' time.