CPC 101: The Founding Ceremony of the People’s Republic of China

On October 1, 1949, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China held the Founding Ceremony in Beijing.

At 2:00 p.m. Mao Zedong chaired the first plenary session of the Central People’s Government Committee. It was unanimously resolved that the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China be declared founded and that Mao Zedong be elected Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People’s Government.

At 3:00 p.m. 300,000 civilians and soldiers in Beijing held a rally in Tiananmen Square to celebrate the founding of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. Chairman Mao declared: “The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China is established today.” Mao Zedong pressed a button, and the Five-Starred Red Flag began to rise slowly accompanied by the national anthem and a 28-gun salute fired by 54 cannons. Mao read out the government proclamation, announcing the founding of the People’s Republic of China to the world. A massive military parade and mass procession were held immediately afterwards.

The Founding Ceremony marked the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and opened up a new era in Chinese history.