Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The "Great Journey", a performance to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), was held on Monday night at the National Stadium in Beijing with around 20,000 spectators. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders watched the performance.

On the giant screen at the center of the stage, the golden Party emblem shined against the red curtain in gilded fonts with "1921" and "2021" written on both sides. Gorgeous fireworks flew up to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the CPC in the sky above the National Stadium. 

The performance was divided into four chapters vividly showing the magnificent picture of the CPC leadership of the Chinese people to embark in revolution, construction and reform, as well as move forward onto the new journey of fully building a modern socialist country. 

Some key events were also displayed in the performance, including China's economic opening-up following the third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978, the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland, the victory of the Chinese people against SARS and massive earthquakes, the successful hosting of Beijing Olympic Games and Shanghai Expo, and the first Chinese space mission carrying a three-person crew. 

It also showed how the CPC leads the Chinese people to get rid of extreme poverty. A symphony performed during the show recalls how the Chinese people were mobilized and united around the Party to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.  

At the end of the performance, the audience stood up and sang "Without CPC, there would be no New China", in a long ovation.

Carrie Lam and Ho Iat Seng, chief executives of the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, also watched the performance.

As the July 1 grand celebration approaches, the festive atmosphere in Beijing has become more palpable in recent days. 

From June 28 to July 4, the city's landscape lighting facilities will be opened in accordance with major festival standards, with red lanterns and gorgeous light shows making the Chinese capital city more charming at night. Also, there are 1,006 flower beds in important areas and major roads in the city with more than 7,900 flowerpots that create a green and thriving urban landscape.