China Martyr's Day
Editor's note: The writer is the Founder of Friends of Belt and Road Forum. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of Gwadar Pro.
President Xi Jinping, leaders of Communist Party of China and recipients of the July 1 Medal participated at the solemn ceremony at Tian’anmen Square in Central Beijing to pay tribute to the immortal Martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for China. The day is celebrated on 30th September i.e. a day ahead of the Chinese National Day to remember those martyrs who have put the country first and their lives behind. The heroic and immortal struggle of these legends led to the liberation of the People’s Republic of China and the establishing of a sovereign country in 1949. This day was designated in 2014 as a day to remember the national ethos of China and to remember the past and sacrifices of the people in order to build a bright future. This day commemorates the fallen heroes for the protection and safety of the country and countrymen. These Martyrs although fall but they made sure that their country rise above. On Martyr's day, people reconnect themselves with the history.
Days like Martyr's day play very significant roles in developing and promoting the national sense of togetherness in the overall national life. China not only celebrate this day but also Victory Day on 3rd September wherein Chinese people won the war against the Japanese aggression. Another one is on December 14 when National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims is commemorated. According to the Chinse government, Martyrs are defined as those people who have sacrificed their lives for the country and people in modern times since the First Opium War till today. Statistics reveal that there are nearly 20 million martyrs. There is also a special ministry looking after the wellbeing of the Veteran, protect the burial sites, maintenance, and support their relatives. The date of 30 September is also very important and symbolic as today the construction began at the iconic Monument of the People’s Heroes at the famous Tian’anmen Square at the heart of Beijing.
This was 72 years ago, when Chinese people took the destiny in their own hands and shun all the aggressions from outside powers to build their country on the path of glory. This year CPC is also celebrating its 100 years of founding. Under the leadership of CPC, China has made phenomenal progress over the past seven decades and this was the result of the sacrifices of the great leaders and the people of the soil who have made all possible ways to make China one of the greatest countries in the world. For this mission, they have laid their own lives and put their country at the forefront before their own wishes. China has been able to fight the once-in-a-century pandemic and made historic accomplishments like achieving the dream of building a moderately prosperous society in diverse sectors. China has shun poverty made heroic fight to help communities come out of the shackles of poverty through innovation, dedication, focused approach, systematic methods and sacrifices.
This National Day and the commemoration of the Martyr’s Day are a spiritual recalling of the old times and remembering solemnly the great heroes of the national life of China. The story of beautiful and prosperous China is written with souls of the these heroes. This day commemorates in a manner to share the stories of sacrifice and martyrs to the young generation of China to continue this warmth from heart to heart and years to come.
On this day, there are national day celebrations, state level events and also cultural events including launch of movies. For instance, this time around a special and highly anticipated Chinese war epic film The Battle at Lake Changjin has also been released today commemorating the lives of the heroes. This movie is one of the most expensive movies ever made in Chinese history and is expected to gain brilliant response in China. There are series of events across China and people pay tribute to the war veterans and those who have sacrificed their lives. People across the country visit these heroes, cherish the memories and pay huge tribute to those who have struggled to save China.
It is rightly said that any martyr are the ones who make history and inculcate the true patriotism to the life of the nation. Martyrdom is not the death but it is life that a person lives for the memories of the nation forever. What are witnessing the glory of China is as a result of the sacrifices for making it a progressive, modern, moderately developed, poverty free, disease free country of the world. Let us bow our heads in gratitude and thank all those martyrs who have made China proud as there is no greater sacrifice that a martyr make for the defense of his/her nation. It is the price that martyrs pay for the freedom, peace and development for the coming generation.
I wish China a merry 72nd National Day of People’s Republic of China and wish the country and its people peace, wealth, development and happiness in the years and centuries ahead.
