Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior leaders gathered in Beijing on Wednesday to honor national heroes on Martyrs’ Day. The ceremony, held at Tian’anmen Square, takes place annually on September 30 to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for China’s national independence, development, and prosperity.
During the event, Xi Jinping and other officials observed a moment of silence after the national anthem played. In a solemn tribute, nine large flower baskets were placed at the Monument to the People’s Heroes. This annual observance was formally established in 2014, and Xi has consistently participated since then.
Representatives from various sectors of Chinese society also attended this year’s ceremony, underscoring its significance across the nation. The event precedes China’s National Day, which is celebrated on October 1, and coincides with significant anniversaries such as the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 90th anniversary of the conclusion of the Long March, an important episode in Chinese history that occurred from 1934 to 1936.