Xi leads Martyr's Day ceremony

President Xi Jinping led a tribute to national heroes on Thursday morning as the nation honored those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Chinese people and the nation's development.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders of the Party and State saluted fallen heroes during the Martyrs' Day event held at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tian'anmen Square on Thursday.

The commemoration took place one day before National Day and came just several months after the CPC celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 1.

The ceremony began at 10 am with all participants singing the national anthem. This was followed by a silent tribute to all of China's fallen heroes.

Nine flower baskets－presented in the name of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council and other organizations and groups－stood before the crowd.

After honor guards laid the baskets in front of the monument, Xi straightened the red ribbons on the baskets and led the senior officials in a walk around the monument in honor of those who gave their lives.

They were joined later by representatives from various sectors of society, including people honored for their contributions to the fight against COVID-19, veterans, retired officials and relatives of the fallen heroes.

Li Shiming, an ophthalmologist at Beijing Tongren Hospital, was present at the ceremony and said it serves as a reminder for the public of the nation's history and the sacrifices made by the heroes who gave their lives for their country.

"It was a solemn and awe-inspiring moment. Being able to salute the heroes at such a solemn ceremony is an honor that will long live in my memory," he said.

Xi has often emphasized the importance of honoring China's heroes, learning from them and amplifying their heroic spirit to provide impetus for the nation's great rejuvenation.

In a ceremony on Sept 2, 2015, in which commemorative medals were conferred upon veterans and civilians who fought in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Xi underscored that a nation of hope cannot be without heroes, and a promising country cannot be without pioneers.

All national heroes are the backbone of the Chinese nation, and their stories and spirit offer immense strength for the nation to march forward, he said.

Xi again spoke of the need to honor heroes at an event in September 2019 in which national medals were conferred upon role models. On that occasion, he said that only when everyone strives to be a hero can a nation give rise to heroes from one generation to the next.