Zhang Ge:
Friends from the media, good afternoon. It's a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to give you an introduction of the mass pageantry for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Over the past 70 years, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been committed to its original aspiration and mission, and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in forging ahead and achieving historic successes. The Chinese nation has made a tremendous transformation. It has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong. The pageantry aims to tell China's stories well, and fully demonstrate the faith, confidence and trust the Chinese people of all ethnic groups have in the CPC.
The pageantry is divided into three parts based on the history of the PRC–the country's founding, reform and opening-up, and great rejuvenation. Approximately 100,000 people and 70 big floats will form 36 formations and three scenes, marching on the Chang'an Avenue from east to west and passing the core area of Tiananmen Square. The pageantry will showcase historic chapters of the PRC, including the founding of the country, the progress of the reform and opening-up drive and the undertaking of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the advent of a new era for building socialism with Chinese characteristics. In particular, great emphasis will be placed on the historic transformation and successes the country and the CPC have achieved since the 18th CPC National Congress, so as to highlight the theme of "jointly building the Chinese dream."
Participants in the parade will include people from all ethnic groups and all sectors, including representatives who are deliverymen and square dancing aunties. The parade will be enriched with songs, dances, props and sculptures showcasing distinctive characteristics of the times. We hope that everyone will be inspired by the "free, lively, joyful and cheerful" parade atmosphere on the National Day, and that the celebrations would resonate with the magnificent development and achievements of the country.
The floats this year were designed and produced to highlight the 70th anniversary of the PRC's founding and the new era. The people and the floats will display significant moments and memories over the past decades and showcase the progress of the country and social development. The themed floats will have vivid and clear images and objects, and combine traditional culture with modern craftmanship and technologies to present political and ideological themes. The local floats not only takes the overall atmosphere into account, but also highlights the characteristics of the provinces (prefectures and municipalities), Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, which will display regional achievements, the beauty of our motherland, as well as the happy life of people across the country.
The square will be decorated with distinctive features. The "red ribbon" scene symbolizes that the red gene connects the past, present and future; 70 red lanterns over the east and west roads of the square will join other parts of the celebration to stoke the festive atmosphere. A total of 70,000 doves and 70,000 colorful balloons will be released at the square on National Day.
Zhang Ge:
The celebratory parade has had three successful rehearsals in the Tian'anmen area and along Chang'an Avenue. The orderly organization and smooth operation in both areas lived up to expectations.
People who came from various sectors and participated in the rehearsals all showed their deep love and sincere affection for the country, which moved us a lot.
Finally, let's look forward to the big day of celebrations that will take place in front of Tian'anmen Square and beside Jinshui Bridge in six days, when we will "celebrate the motherland's birthday, share in its great glory and strive for the great revival together." Thank you.
Tian Yuhong:
Thank you, Mr. Zhang. Now, let's welcome Mr. Xiong who will give us his presentation.
Xiong Zhuo:
Media friends, good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to brief you on the volunteer work for the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the PRC's founding.
The smiles of volunteers are one of Beijing's best calling cards, and voluntary service is an important part of the service support in major events.
Beijing's leading group for the National Day Celebrations highly values volunteer work, and set up a volunteer command center to coordinate it. Earlier on, we recruited and trained over 160,000 well-qualified volunteers from universities, communities, companies and various sectors of society. Among them, over 10,000 will serve at the grand celebration and the gala, over 4,000 will serve at the large exhibition on achievements and parks, and close to 150,000 will contribute to the city's operation and security.
During the upcoming celebrations, the volunteers will behave in line with the spirit that General Secretary Xi Jinping has called for in his congratulatory letter to the second congress of the China Volunteer Service Federation. They will offer high-quality services, add more glamour to the "golden calling card" of Beijing Volunteers through their actions, and continue the exemplary spirit of Lei Feng in the new era.
That's all. Thank you.
Tian Yuhong:
Thank you, Mr. Xiong. Now, let's welcome Ms. Pang who will give us her presentation.
