People across China pay tribute to martyrs during Qingming Festival

Commemorative events were held at martyrs' cemeteries across China on Sunday, the Qingming Festival, to honor the fallen heroes.

The Qingming Festival, or the Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and worshiping ancestors.

In Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a solemn ceremony was held at the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs' cemetery on Sunday morning to pay tribute to the martyrs.

The event gathered more than 800 people, including the veterans of the People's Volunteer Army and the families of the martyrs.

The ceremony included playing and singing of the national anthem, moments of silence, and flower basket presentation.

"I miss my comrades very much, especially during the special days like the Qingming Festival. I want to tell them that ‘The victory you won with your youth, blood, and lives has brought peace to our country. Now, our country is stronger, and our army is stronger. We will carry on your cause and realize your dreams. Rest in peace,'" said Wu Dawei, a 93-year-old veteran.

During the three-day holiday from Saturday to Monday, Shenyang residents flocked to the cemetery to clean the tombstones of the fallen heroes and present flowers.

In Jining City, east China's Shandong Province, people from all walks of life, including veterans, Party members and cadres, and primary and secondary school students, gathered at the Weishan Lake Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park to commemorate the martyrs.

In Shanghai, the Longhua Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery held a ceremony to pay tribute to the unknown martyrs with flowers, a moment of silence, and three bows.

The event was attended by nearly 200 people from all walks of life, including outstanding members of the Communist Youth League of China and the Young Pioneers from local schools, descendants of the martyrs, soldiers and veterans.

The National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam on Tuesday morning confirmed To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), as state president for the 2026-2031 tenure.

All 495 deputies present voted in favor of the draft resolution on the election of Lam, who served as the state president of Vietnam from May to October 2024.

Lam was elected general secretary of the 13th CPVCC in August 2024 and was re-elected to the position for the 2026-2031 tenure at the first meeting of the 14th CPVCC on Jan 23, 2026.

In his speech, Lam stressed the need to develop a highly skilled workforce to meet development requirements in the new period, improve institutions and governance toward a modern, inclusive and sustainable society, and bring the country in step with global political, economic and civilizational trends.