Xi pays tribute to fallen national heroes on Martyrs' Day

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state presented flower baskets at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Monday, paying their tribute to fallen national heroes on the Martyrs' Day.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joined representatives from various circles to mark the country's 11th Martyrs' Day, a day ahead of the National Day that falls on Oct 1. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Other senior leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng also attended the event.

The event began at 10:00, with a military band playing trumpets to commemorate the martyrs.

All participants sang the national anthem and then paid a silent tribute to those who laid down their lives to the liberation of the Chinese people and the construction of the PRC, founded on Oct 1, 1949.

After a group of children sang a patriotic song, the guard of honor laid flower baskets in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes.

Xi straightened the red ribbons on a flower basket and led senior officials in a walk around the monument to pay tribute.

Children and other attendees also laid flowers at the foot of the monument.

The foundation stone of the Monument to the People's Heroes was laid on Sept 30, 1949.

In 2014, the National People's Congress of China designated Sept 30 as the Martyrs' Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for national independence and prosperity.

Xi pays tribute to fallen national heroes on Martyrs' Day

Xi pays tribute to fallen national heroes on Martyrs' Day

Xi pays tribute to fallen national heroes on Martyrs' Day

Xi pays tribute to fallen national heroes on Martyrs' Day

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal