Pang Wei:
Ladies and gentlemen, media friends, good afternoon. Next, on behalf of the evening gala organizing department, I will introduce to you the celebration plans for China's 70th National Day.
Under the leadership of the Leading Group of the 70th Anniversary Celebration and the Leading Group of the Celebration in Beijing, the evening gala organizing department have been working to prepare for the celebrations on China's 70th National Day. Three rehearsals of the complete celebration have been held at the Tiananmen Square respectively on Sept. 8, 15, and 22.
The evening gala will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Tiananmen Square, and will last for 90 minutes. It will have four parts - thematic performances, featured shows, mass celebration, and a fireworks show. Now, I will introduce the seven highlights of this year's celebration.
First, the thematic performances, staged at the section of the Chang'an Avenue to the south of the Golden Water Bridge, will feature 3,290 people holding light panels and other props to depict China's great leaps -- it has stood up, grown rich and is becoming strong.
Second, the featured shows will use the same performing area as the thematic performances. A total of 3,650 people from art groups of relevant provincial regions will participate in the shows, displaying their unique local cultures. About 40 popular songs will be performed, and a vocal music set has been created specifically for this section. Some 16 songs have been selected and will be performed together by actors and audiences in a chorus.
Third, the mass celebration will be staged in 10 zones located on the east and west side of the main performing area. The participants will also interact with the performances in the main performing area.
Fourth, the fireworks show will create a festive atmosphere and a scene filled with happiness.
Fifth, there will be performances on designated stages. For example, in order to echo the thematic performances and featured shows, a special gala, featuring 2,502 people from martial arts schools and from three districts in Beijing, will be staged to create a festive atmosphere. The other performance will be presented by a thousand-strong symphony orchestra and chorus. The orchestra consists of 1,028 people from 16 orchestras nationwide while the chorus consists of 1,400 students from universities, middle-high schools and primary schools in Beijing. This should be the first time in the world history that such a large scale orchestra and a chorus will perform together at a square.
Sixth, at the beginning of the evening gala, some large-scale facilities will be used during the thematic performances. In certain sections of the performances, large equipment and facilities will be used to create special effects with fireworks.
Seventh is the presentation of light art. The lighting projects around the square have been organized collaboratively, such as those on the Tiananmen Rostrum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower. Advanced technologies will be used to improve the overall lighting effects.
Tian Yuhong:
Thank you, Ms. Pang. Now the floor is open for questions. Please identify your news agency before asking questions.
