Parade sparks memories of difficult life, inspires pride

The most impressive part of the grand parade for me was when over 160 aircraft flew across Tian'anmen Square, causing flag-waving spectators to cheer. Some of the planes flew in formations making the number 70 in the sky, while others left trails of colored smoke.

This is in stark contrast to the scenes during the nation's founding ceremony 70 years ago. With only 17 planes participating in the parade, Zhou Enlai, the first premier of the republic, ordered some of the aircraft to fly across the square twice.

Seventy years is only a short period of time in the ancient civilization's long history, but the increase in the number of aircraft used during National Day celebrations is just a microcosm of significant changes hardly with a precedent in the history of mankind.