Chinese President Xi Jinping led a ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday to honor national heroes and martyrs on Martyrs’ Day. The event, held at Tian’anmen Square, preceded China’s National Day on October 1. Martyrs’ Day, observed annually on September 30, commemorates individuals who sacrificed their lives for China’s national independence, development, and prosperity.
During the ceremony, Xi and other senior leaders observed a moment of silence following the national anthem. Nine large flower baskets were placed at the Monument to the People’s Heroes as a tribute to those who made sacrifices for the nation. The annual observance has been a tradition since its formal establishment in 2014, with Xi attending each year.
This year’s ceremony included representatives from different sectors of Chinese society, highlighting the broad recognition of the importance of honoring the country’s past sacrifices. The event coincided with significant historical anniversaries, including the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 90th anniversary of the end of the Long March, a crucial event in Chinese revolutionary history from 1934 to 1936.