Pigeons are released after a national flag-raising ceremony at the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing at dawn of October 1 2008, the 59th National Day. About 190,000 people all across the country crowded the Tian'anmen Square to watch the ceremony.

Soldiers march forward during a flag-raising ceremony on the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing at dawn of October 1 2008, the 59th National Day. [Xinhua]

Visitors take photos as they watch a flag-raising ceremony on the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing on October 1 2008, the 59th National Day.

Soldiers raise the Chinese national flag to celebrate the 59th National Day in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on October 1 2008, .

People holding Chinese national flags watch a flag-raising ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on October 1, 2008, the 59th National Day.