On the 1st, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the capital of China, held the National Day flag-raising ceremony. Large crowds of citizens and tourists from all over the country gathered at Tiananmen Square, lining up outside early in the morning to enter in an orderly fashion, hoping to secure the best spot to watch the ceremony. Accompanied by the playing of the 'March of the Volunteers,' the Five-Star Red Flag was slowly raised in the morning light at 6:12 a.m.
At about 6 a.m., members of the National Flag Guard marched with vigorous steps, slowly crossing the Golden Water Bridge and escorting the Five-Star Red Flag to Tiananmen Square. The crowd immediately fell silent, with many raising their phones and cameras aiming at the distant gate tower. The military band then played the national anthem, the flag-raiser hoisted the Five-Star Red Flag to the top of the flagpole, and a large number of white doves symbolizing peace were released along with colorful balloons soaring into the sky. The audience on site waved national flags and sang the national anthem together as it was played.