Si pays tribute to national heroes on Martyrs' Day

Xi Jinping straightens a ribbon on a flower basket during a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2023. Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, including Li Qiang, Zhao Lei, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xia and Han Cheng, attended a ceremony to hand over flower baskets to fallen national heroes in Beijing on Saturday morning. The event was held to mark China's 10th Martyrs' Day, a day before the national holiday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state attended a ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Saturday morning to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes.

The event was held on the occasion of the 10th. Martyrs' Day, the day before China's national holiday.

Other representatives included Li Qiang, Zhao Lezi, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Si and Han Cheng. They were joined by representatives from all walks of life at the ceremony.

At 10 a.m., all participants sang the national anthem and then paid silent tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Chinese people and the development of the People's Republic of China.

Nine huge flower baskets were placed in front of the Monument to the Heroes of the People. Si and other senior leaders walked to the foot of the monument, where he straightened the ribbons on the baskets, and then led other senior leaders who walked around the monument to pay their respects.

Baskets with ribbons inscribed with "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes" were presented on behalf of the CPC Central Committee; the Standing Committee of the All-China People's Congress; the State Council; the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; and the Central Military Commission; non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and patriots without party affiliation; people's organizations and people from all walks of life; veterans, retired senior cadres, and relatives of martyrs; and Chinese young pioneers.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, headed by Comrade Xi Jinping, maintaining the spirit of the martyrs and drawing strength from it, the Party, the armed forces and the people of all ethnic groups are now embarking on a new path with confidence. They are tirelessly striving to build a strong China and realise national rejuvenation.

Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee and secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CCP, presided over the ceremony.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese Communist Party and state leaders walk past the People's Heroes Memorial to pay their respects at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2023. Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, including Li Qiang, Zhao Letii, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xia and Han Cheng, attended a ceremony to present flower baskets to the fallen national heroes in Beijing on Saturday morning. The event was held to mark China's 10th Martyrs' Day, a day before the national holiday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Xinhua/Roz