Grand gala looks back at seven decades of achievements

A grand gala was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday night to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Entitled Stride Forward, the Nation, the gala, attended by President Xi Jinping and over 4,000 other guests－including representatives of veterans, foreign experts and students－featured symphony orchestras, choirs, dances and soloists.

The four-part gala focused on the country's achievements during the past 70 years, with the first part recalling the days of struggle before New China was founded. Memorable historical moments were presented onstage through various art forms, images and videos.

They included the Nanchang Uprising, initiated by the Communist Party of China on Aug 1, 1927, as its initial bid to establish the people's army, and the Long March, the Red Army's epic military expedition between 1934 and 1936 as it fought the Kuomintang regime.

The second part focused on the socialist revolution and construction period after the founding of the PRC in 1949. The third part showed the achievements made after 1978, when China began adopting its reform and opening-up policy and the country ushered in an era of modernization and industrialization. The fourth part showed the country's progress and development since 2012, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress held that year.

Popular songs written since the birth of New China that celebrate the country's achievements were performed during the gala, including On the Great Road, a popular song written by Li Jiefu in 1963, and In the Field of Hope, written by composer Shi Guangnan in 1979. Hundreds of artists, including tenor Warren Mok, pianist Lang Lang, actor-director Jackie Chan and singer Zhang Liangying, performed during the gala.

Singer Alu Azhuo, a member of the Yi ethnic group who was born and grew up in the mountains of southwestern China's Guizhou province, performed with other artists from ethnic groups. She said rehearsals for the gala started months ago.

"I am honored and proud to be part of the gala, which is a gift on our country's 70th birthday," Alu said. "The gala gathered Chinese artists of different generations, who have witnessed and accompanied the growth of the country."