Celebrations

National Day celebrated across China with excitement

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-01 23:01

Red flag on plateau  

Living on the border of China and Nepal, the 99-year-old Tibetan granny has had the habit of hoisting the national flag in her courtyard for 44 years.

Cering Qoezhoen always wore a hat, in order to cover the scars on her forehead.

A serf before the democratic reform in Tibet, the lady was ordered to transport materials for the master. She had to hang the food and other daily necessities on her head while fumbling in the mountain.

"The road in the mountain was so narrow," she said, extending her arms to make gestures.

In 1961, soldiers came to the Zhangmugou village where she lived. Cering not only gained freedom, but saw a new road built in her hometown.

On the National Day of 1965, the road opened to traffic. The delighted Cering together with other villagers hoisted national flags in their courtyards. Since then, she has kept the habit.

Cering couldn't remember how many red flags she had hoisted: some of them were embroidered by herself, while some were given by the local government.

The red flag she hoisted on Thursday was given by the flag guards in Beijing. Seeing the flag that once fluttered on Tian'anmen Square was now raised in front of her home, she took out her ghee butter, stuck it on the pole--a move by Tibetans as good wishes.

Wishes across the country 

From the northeastern polar village to the southern islands, from the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the eastern coastal business hubs, China is in jubilance.

In Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, the rain didn't seem to dampen people's enthusiasm on the Central Avenue. Owners of taxis and cars put small national flags on their vehicles.

A taxi driver surnamed Guo had many red flags in his taxi. Each of his passengers could take one away. "As a Chinese, I want to help create the festive atmosphere on my country's birthday," he said. "There is no word to describe my feeling now, only the national flag."

Soldiers on the Xisha Islands gathered early Thursday morning waiting to see the sun coming out. Bathed in the first ray, they shouted: "Long live my mother country! Happy birthday!"

Many fishermen came to watch the televised military parade with the soldiers.

"Although I was not in the squad, I carry the gun as well and I can feel the pride as a soldier," said soldier Fu Qiguo. "We shoulder the same responsibility--to protect our country," he said.

Fisherman Feng Ningfang said, "we are not afraid of the pirates on the sea, because behind us is a strong mother country."

In Taiyuan, Shanxi's capital, wedding arches were erected in front of many residential buildings. Restaurants have been booked out in August for wedding parties during the National holiday.

On the internet, netizens poured their wishes for their country.

A netizen nicknamed Yunwu said on the website of China Central Television (CCTV): "our country has gone through many hardship and bitterness before presenting its new image in front of us--strong and peaceful. I wish my country forever prosperous!"