A grand and stately ceremony was held Thurday morning ( Spetember 30) to mark China's eighth Martyrs' Day, just one day ahead of the National Day.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state attended the ceremony in Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing, offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes.

The top leaders were joined by representatives from all walks of life at the ceremony.

At 10 am, all participants sang the national anthem, and then a silent tribute to those who devoted their lives to the liberation of the Chinese people and the building of the People's Republic of China, which was founded on October 1, 1949.

Eighteen honor guards placed nine huge flower baskets in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes. 

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other senior leaders walked up to the foot of the monument, where he straightened the red ribbons on the baskets before leading other senior officials in a walk around the monument to pay their tributes. 

On September 30,1949, exactly 72 years ago, the First Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference decided to build the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tianan'men Square to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for national causes.

This year marks the centennial of the founding of the CPC in 1921. Under the leadership of the CPC, China has achieved major strategic achievements in the fight against the epidemic and has made a historic achievement in accomplishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Prior to National Day, the first batch of the CPC's spiritual pedigree, 46 great spirits in all forged during the Party's century-old endeavor, was officially released on Wednesday, including the spirits of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).

From 1921 to 1949, there were more than 3.7 million martyrs in the revolutionary ranks led by the Communist Party of China. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, nearly 400 Party members have sacrificed their lives to fight the epidemic. And over 1,800 CPC members sacrificed their lives during the poverty alleviation fight, according to media report.

China's top legislature approved September 30 as Martyrs' Day in 2014 to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for national independence and prosperity.

Xi has on many occasions emphasized the importance of remembering the country's national heroes and carrying their spirit forward. 

In addition to the commemoration in Beijing, cities around China organized various memorial activities to cherish the memory of martyrs, with many people spontaneously going to lay bouquets and pay tributes.

At  the ongoing Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, the J-10 fighter jet crew of the PLA August 1 Aerobatic Team flew over the airshow venue, leaving a trail of white smoke in remembrance of China's martyrs.

Several trending topics listed on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo related to the memorial ceremonies with young people writing that the accomplishments of the revolutionary martyrs will go down in history and their names shall never be forgotten. 

"In the past, you hewed out a bright path for China and Chinese people with your lives. Now, it is up to us to take over your baton toward great rejuvenation," one Chinese netizen commented.

Inspired by the great spirits, the Chinese people have inherited unswerving faith, unyielding integrity from martyrs, vowed to contribute to CPC's cause and national rejuvenation, continuing their journey to fully build a modern socialist China.

"Please rest assured, the strong country has me," another netizen said.

Global Times