China celebrates 60 years
China formally kicked off its mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square earlier today. Hundreds of thousands of participants marched past Tiananmen Square in costume or uniform, with floats and dancers mingling with soldiers and military hardware. Collected here are photographs of the once-in-a-decade National Day parade in Beijing, and of others commemorating the anniversary elsewhere. (39 photos total)
Dancers from the National Ballet of China performs the "Red Detachment of Women" ballet at the Tanggu Great Theater, part of the celebration of China's 60th anniversary, in Tianjin, September 26, 2009. The "Red Detachment of Women" is a full-length Chinese ballet depicting a peasant woman's journey into the PLA, combining Western dance style with Chinese cultural elements. (REUTERS/Jason Lee) #
Tattoo artist Ren Liang works on a tattoo celebrating China's 60th anniversary on customer Chen Huang's back in his shop in central Beijing September 28, 2009. The small tattoo parlour has had an influx of requests for tattoos which symbolise the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (REUTERS/David Gray) #
More links and information
China Celebrates 60 Years of Communist Rule - NYTimes.com, 10/01
Hong Kongers protest on China's National Day - AP, 10/01
Live Blogging China’s National Day Parade - WSJ.com, 10/01