A grand gathering celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Monday to uphold Hong Kong's special status on the eve of a huge military parade in Beijing that risks being upstaged by more protests in the semi-autonomous city.
Some 15,000 soldiers are being marched across Tiananmen Square and the latest military technology is being displayed on Tuesday as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations, a patriotic show of strength to demonstrate the country's emergence as a global superpower.
The Chinese president is expected to speak at the Gate of Heavenly Peace - the same spot where Chairman Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
After the military march a civilian parade are being involved 100,000 civilians and 70 floats, with organizers releasing 70,000 doves and 70,000 balloons before an evening performance and fireworks in Tiananmen.
The capital city was decked in red Chinese flags, flower displays, lanterns and political slogans ahead of the tightly-choreographed festivities.
The final seating stands were pulled into place in Tiananmen on Monday, with the whole square and central Beijing set to be closed off by evening.
Some roads were already closed on Sunday.
State broadcaster CCTV was playing patriotic shows throughout on Monday and showing images of celebrating citizens, including ethnic minorities in traditional dress waving Chinese flags.
Xi paid tribute to Mao's embalmed body at the late leader's mausoleum at Tiananmen Square.
But the city's pollution levels remained high - uncharacteristic ahead of a key event in China when authorities tend to close factories and produce clear skies.
