Beijing: The city prepares to mark 70 years of communist rule

Patriotic banners, elaborate flower displays and tightened security are all on tap as the Chinese capital prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule on Tuesday.

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Buildings illuminated 

Several downtown buildings are illuminated at night by red lights — the color of the national flag — flashing the number “70” and the words “I love you China.” Passersby stop to pose for photos in front of a dozen flower installations along Chang’an Avenue, each with a different theme to showcase China’s achievements and prosperity.
The grand celebration on Oct. 1 will include a military parade and a mass pageant with about 100,000 citizen-performers. During rehearsals for the parade, roads were locked down, subway stations closed and access to buildings along the route shut as authorities tried to keep preparations out of public view.

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Internet control stepped up

Internet control has been stepped up. On Sept. 18, Hu Xijin, chief editor of the nationalist tabloid Global Times, wrote in a post that he later deleted from his Weibo short-messaging account that it was extremely difficult to view foreign websites, which affected the newspaper’s work. He said he deleted the post because it was going viral, and he wants discussion to be rational and smooth, and not get out of hand. The message the party wants China’s citizenry to embrace is all about patriotism. 
In trendy Sanlitun, red heart shape with the words “I love China” in large yellow letters stands out in this hub of popular bars and high-end fashion outlets.

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