What is China’s Communist Party planning for the centenary day?
- In the countdown to July 1, some signs have emerged in the capital and online of what the anniversary might bring
- With the country facing internal and external challenges, a major policy announcement may not be in the offing, analyst says
According to officials, Xi will deliver a speech on July 1, two days after he awards “July 1 medals” to members of the ruling party deemed to have made prominent contributions.
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Propaganda exhibition in Beijing's busy bar area celebrating 100 years of Chinese Communist Party
While other details of the day’s events are largely unknown, closures in the capital offer clues. Tiananmen Square has been sealed off since Wednesday and will reopen on July 2.
When a rehearsal took place in early June, sections of the Changan Avenue, the main thoroughfare in the heart of Beijing, were sealed off.
Videos of rehearsals featuring fireworks and helicopters flying over Tiananmen Square have been circulating online, suggesting what can be expected on the day.
Roads have also been cordoned off in the north of Beijing near the National Stadium, also known as the “Bird’s Nest”, where various shows will be staged over a number of evenings.