Young Chinese students spent the night in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square to see Thursday morning's symbolic flag-raising ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The grand ceremony is seen as one of the defining moments of China's National Day, which falls on October 1 every year, with the ritual performed by honor guards of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Large crowds gathered in the historic square in the Chinese capital throughout the night in the hours ahead of the flag-raising which takes place at dawn.
Some came with backpacks on their shoulders, others brought folding stools to sit on, as they stayed awake the whole night, waiting patiently for the ceremony.
For many, the moment is one of patriotic pride shared among generations of family members.
Quan Hong, a student from the Beijing Institute of Technology, said his great-grandfather was a soldier in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
"My grandparents and parents often tell me about his experiences on the battlefield, and about the documents, commemorative photos and medals he left behind. They inspire me, so I hold a deep attachment to my country and the national flag," he said.
Other youths say they felt inspired after taking part in this overnight vigil, and hope to make their own contributions to the country after completing their studies.
"The peace and stability of the country are protected by many people working quietly behind the scenes. Every time I see the five-star red flag rising, it strengthens my resolve. I hope to use what I learn in school to contribute my part to the country in the future," said Zheng Runzhi, a student from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
Attending the daily flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square has become a major year-round tourist attraction for domestic visitors, with the event taking on added significance during China's National Day celebrations.
The week-long National Day holiday, also known as the 'Golden Week', runs from Oct 1 to 7, and typically draws massive crowds of visitors from across the country to the square.
Young people wait overnight for China's symbolic National Day flag-raising ceremony
Young people wait overnight for China's symbolic National Day flag-raising ceremony
A patriotically-named builder has spent more than a decade at the helm of a key construction project in Beijing, helping transform the former Shougang steelworks into a modern urban landmark which has gained global attention for hosting international trade fairs and even the Winter Olympics.
Zhang Guoqing, a project manager at the Shougang Construction company whose given name literally means "National Day" in Chinese, shared his story as the country celebrates the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Thursday.
One of the defining projects of the veteran builder's career has been working on the large-scale renovation of the former industrial site in the west of the Chinese capital.
When Zhang returned to the Shougang steelworks in 2015, the sprawling plant had been silent for more than four years, with its once sizzling furnaces going cold ever since steel production was relocated out of Beijing.
"The site still looked much as it had when the steel plant was running. But the windows were broken, the plaster was peeling, and abandoned equipment was covered in dust. Weeds had grown outside. There was no one around," Zhang recalled.
In the years that followed, the former steelworks has been gradually reshaped into the bustling new Shougang Park, retaining its rustic feel but with a modern makeover that has reinvigorated the whole area. Zhang has played a key role in this transformation as the site has become a much-sought after destination for major events, exhibitions, and even providing a unique sporting arena for an Olympic Games.
His projects have ranged from the stunning ski jump built for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to the permanent venue for the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFIT), an annual event which gathers 100,000 businesspeople at the Shougang Park.
Back when the work started, there were few precedents for repurposing aging industrial structures on such a large scale. Zhang and his team had to develop new approaches along the way to handle this mammoth undertaking.
"When we renovated Blast Furnace No. 3, some of its components were badly corroded. We treated their surfaces to form a stable protective rust layer. That made them more durable while preserving as much of the furnace's original industrial appearance as possible," he said.
Today, the former steelworks has become a distinctive landmark in the city, with its industrial history preserved and providing a unique backdrop which draws visitors for exhibitions and international events.
"This is Blast Furnace No. 4. After the renovation, it became Hall 1 of the permanent venue for the China International Fair for Trade in Services. Look at this furnace shell. We gave it special treatment using a new coating technique to achieve this color and texture, while keeping it looking much as it did before," said Zhang.
The site holds many dear memories for Zhang, who cherishes every individual project and wants each one to stand the test of time. His commitment and dedication has meant long days on site and years of hard but rewarding work.
The Shougang Park project is seen by many as a metaphor for China's wider development, as it moves from the heavy industry of the past into a more modern and vibrant future.
Zhang is one of the many who has witnessed China's transformation and has left his own mark on its progress through his work.
He acknowledges there has always been a sense of patriotic pride through the name of 'Guoqing' or "National Day" given to him by his parents, which has spurred him on to the success.
"Since I was a child, I've wanted to become an industrial worker and contribute to the country's development. This name [given to me] has always encouraged me to keep moving forward," he said.
Patriotically-named builder helps transform former steelworks site into modern day landmark
