Pride of the nation as the world watches

The spectacle of perfectly drilled soldiers, advanced weaponry and elaborate floats displayed in yesterday's parade afforded an unprecedented moment of pride for the Chinese at home and abroad.

"The moment I heard President Hu Jintao announced the start of the military parade, I burst into tears," said 49-year-old Inner Mongolian singer Tengger, who was lucky enough to be in the reviewing stand at Tian'anmen.

"It was at that moment that I fully understood the statement 'Chinese people have stood up'," he said.