China celebrates 75th National Day

China, October 1 — The People's Republic of China is celebrating its 75th National Day on Tuesday. In honor of the anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, citizens are proudly displaying national flags at their homes, streets, and communities.

The Chinese government has declared a week-long holiday starting today. The combination of the seven-day holiday and the National Day festivities has brought double joy to the people.

Since the declaration of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, the nation has celebrated this day annually. 

The Chinese Communist Party was established in 1921, and after overcoming various political challenges, it proclaimed the People's Republic in 1949, leading to the development of modern China as we know it today.

For the Chinese, the period from 1840 to 1949 is marked by wars, internal conflicts, suffering, humiliation, and losses. Therefore, the last 75 years are considered a golden era in their history.

As a result, citizens are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the republic with great joy. Chinese state television is showcasing stories of modern progress throughout the day.

From Tuesday morning, CGTN (China Global Television Network) is presenting narratives of China’s developmental journey. The broadcasts highlight the reforms and openness initiated by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1978 and the significant economic progress under the leadership of current President Xi Jinping since 2012.

Under Xi's leadership, China has made considerable strides in combating corruption and reducing poverty, ushering the nation into a new era. The government aims to achieve moderate development by 2035 and become a modern, developed nation by the 100th anniversary of the republic in 2049. China, now the world's second-largest economy, continues to identify itself as a developing nation, having successfully lifted over 100 million people out of poverty in recent years.

The strategic roadmap for these goals was laid out in a report presented during the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party held in October 2022.

Currently serving as president for the third time, Xi has advanced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to foster development partnerships with countries around the world. To date, 150 nations have signed agreements under this initiative, as reported by Chinese state media.

Domestic travel surge

To make the most of the week-long holiday, many Chinese citizens are taking trips. The government has encouraged domestic tourism, and various tourist regions across provinces are welcoming visitors and promoting travel within the country.

It is estimated that around 350 million Chinese will travel during this holiday period. According to the Ministry of Transport, daily ridership on high-speed trains alone has reached 170 million.

The Ministry has arranged for additional trains, flights, and buses to facilitate travel across rail, waterways, air, and roads during the week. Tourists are being welcomed at various tourist destinations throughout the country.

Some citizens are also traveling abroad during the holiday. The most popular destinations are Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Russia. Due to the availability of direct high-speed rail service from Yunnan Province to Laos, many travelers are choosing to visit Laos.