Forging ahead with arduous efforts and embarking on a new journey with the original aspiration in mind. A gala show titled the "Great Journey" was held Monday evening at the National Stadium in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, as well as other Party and state leaders, watched the performance together with about 20,000 spectators. They reviewed the CPC's glorious journey over the past century and extended best wishes to the great Party as it leads the Chinese people into the new journey and a new era.
On the evening of June 28, the grand performance "Great Journey" celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held magnificently at the National Stadium. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan, and other party and state leaders, together with approximately 20,000 audience members, watched the performance. Photo by Ju Peng, Xinhua News Agency.
On the evening of June 28, the grand performance "The Great Journey" celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held magnificently at the National Stadium. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan, and other Party and state leaders, along with approximately 20,000 audience members, watched the performance. Photo by Ding Haitao, Xinhua News Agency.
Under the night sky, the Olympic Center area was radiant and splendid, adorned with festive Chinese knot lanterns, eye-catching celebration logos, and colorful dragon-patterned flower columns, all expressing joyous blessings for the centenary of the Communist Party of China. The National Stadium, "Bird's Nest," bathed in golden light, echoed beautifully with the deep blue National Aquatics Center, "Water Cube."
Inside the National Stadium, the lights sparkled brilliantly. On the massive central stage screen, the golden emblem of the Party shone brightly against a red backdrop, flanked by the golden numerals "1921" and "2021" on either side. At the highest point of the stage, 100 ceremonial trumpeters stood tall and straight, while on the rotating set pieces to either side, the figures of soldiers stood steadfast. Energetic young people, holding red bouquets, gathered at the center of the stage.
At approximately 19:57, accompanied by cheerful music, General Secretary Xi Jinping and other leading comrades ascended the rostrum, waving to the audience, eliciting enthusiastic applause and cheers throughout the venue.
On the evening of June 28, the grand performance "Great Journey" celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held magnificently at the National Stadium. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan, and other party and state leaders, together with approximately 20,000 audience members, watched the performance. Photo by Ju Peng, Xinhua News Agency.
On the evening of June 28, the grand theatrical performance "The Great Journey" celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held at the National Stadium. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan, and other party and state leaders watched the performance together with approximately 20,000 audience members. Photo by Pang Xinglei, Xinhua News Agency.
As the passionate and heartfelt singing rose, brilliant fireworks soared into the sky, forming the numeral "100" in commemoration, illuminating the air above the National Stadium. On stage, scattered sparks gathered into the emblem of the Party, marking the beginning of the performance.
The performance was presented in the form of a large-scale epic spectacle, divided into four chapters. It comprehensively utilized various artistic techniques to vividly depict the magnificent journey of the Communist Party of China leading the Chinese people through revolution, construction, and reform over the past century. It fervently praised the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core since the 18th National Congress, as China strides confidently toward the new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects.
"This political party will surely guide China toward a bright future and enable the Chinese people to live a good life..." The drama and dance piece "Dawn" recreates modern times when the Chinese nation suffered greatly, and countless patriots sought the truth to save the country and its people until the birth of the Communist Party of China in 1921, which completely transformed the landscape of the Chinese revolution. The first chapter, "Marching Through Fire," vividly portrays the great journey of the CPC uniting and leading the Chinese people through bloody battles and forging steel through fire during the flames of the Great Revolution, the treacherous Long March, and the battlefields of the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War. This is depicted through performances such as the situational dance "Uprising, Uprising," the song and dance "The Land," the drama and dance "The Long March," the large-scale situational chorus "Roar, Yellow River," and the chorus and dance "Forward, Forward, Forward."
Could the Chinese Communists, who had shattered an old world, build a new one? The second chapter, "Undaunted by Storms," begins with the dance "The Founding Ceremony," recalling the fervent era of socialist revolution and construction. Amidst deafening artillery fire, the situational chorus and dance "Battle Flags as Beautiful as Paint" depict the intense battles of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, celebrating the fervent patriotism of the volunteer soldiers. In stirring operatic tones, the opera and dance "Years of Passion" vividly portrays the struggles of exemplary figures such as Wang Jinxi, Shi Laihe, Lei Feng, Qian Xuesen, and Jiao Yulu.
Can the Communist Party of China, which led the Chinese people to stand up, also lead them to prosperity? The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party provided a historic answer by ushering in the reform and opening-up. In the third chapter, "Courageous Advance Through Torrents," the dance "Spring Tide Surging" unfolds the story of spring across fields of hope. The song and dance "Fantasia of Special Zones" pulsates with the era's heartbeat of "pioneering trials" in the special economic zones. The choral and dance performance "The Moment of Return" celebrates the reunification of Hong Kong and Macao with the motherland. The poetry recitation and chorus "Leaping Forward" extol major national projects such as the West-East Gas Pipeline, West-East Electricity Transmission, South-North Water Diversion, and North-South Coal Transport. The situational dance "The Party Flag in My Heart" depicts how, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the nation united as one to achieve great victories against SARS and in earthquake relief efforts. The chorus and dance "Marching Torch" revives the thrilling historical moments of the Beijing Olympics, Shanghai World Expo, and the launch of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft.
The fourth chapter, "A Splendid Future," unfolds a magnificent panorama of the new era, reviewing the historic achievements and transformations in the Party and national endeavors since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, which has orchestrated the great struggle, great project, great cause, and great dream. The theatrical song and dance "Miracle of the East" recounts the poverty alleviation stories of Minning Town and Shibadong Village, declaring the Communist Party's great victory in leading the Chinese nation to achieve comprehensive moderate prosperity. The symphonic song and dance "People First" recreates the nationwide mobilization and united fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The situational song and dance "Strong Army Anthem" showcases the confident strides of the people's military under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thought on strengthening the armed forces, through realistic multi-service joint exercises. The poetry recitation and chorus "Power of a Strong Nation" highlights the growing strength of China under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core. The drum music and dance "A New World" features a colossal drum 10 meters in diameter and a hundred drums beating in the air, accompanied by a hundred trumpeters sounding the call, presenting a majestic and rejuvenating vision of national rejuvenation in the new era, depicting the historic transformation from prosperity to strength, and inspiring the Chinese people to march forward with confidence. The instrumental music, children's chorus, and dance "A Shared Future" resonate with the global harmony of "building a community with a shared future for mankind."
"Set Sail! The Great Communist Party of China!" Accompanied by the melody of the theme song "Set Sail," a towering 16-meter golden Party emblem solemnly rose, radiating brilliance. The singing and applause heralded the appearance of ten massive red flags, fluttering in the wind. "No matter how far, you are always by our side, with eternal faith and an unwavering original aspiration. The people are the country, embodying your mission and responsibility..." Dazzling fireworks once again illuminated the night sky, bringing the performance to its climax.
On the evening of June 28, the grand performance "The Great Journey" celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held at the National Stadium. Photo by Huang Jingwen, Xinhua News Agency
As the performance concluded, the entire audience rose to their feet and sang in unison "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China," with thunderous applause lasting for a long time.
Also in attendance were: Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Liu He, Xu Qiliang, Sun Chunlan, Yang Jiechi, Yang Xiaodu, Zhang Youxia, Chen Xi, Hu Chunhua, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi, Li Ruihuan, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, He Guoqiang, Liu Yunshan, Zhang Gaoli, You Quan, Cao Jianming, Zhang Chunxian, Shen Yueyue, Ji Bingxuan, Chen Zhu, Wang Dongming, Pema Choling, Ding Zhongli, Hao Mingjin, Cai Dafeng, Wu Weihua, Wei Fenghe, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, Zhao Kezhi, Zhou Qiang, Zhang Jun, Zhang Qingli, Liu Qibao, Qoigyijabu, Wan Gang, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Lu Zhangong, Ma Biao, Chen Xiaoguang, Leung Chun-ying, Xia Baolong, Li Bin, Batire, Wang Yongqing, He Lifeng, Su Hui, Zheng Jianbang, Gu Shengzu, Liu Xincheng, He Wei, Shao Hong, Gao Yunlong, and Wang Lequan, Wang Zhaoguo, Hui Liangyu, Liu Qi, Wu Yi, Cao Gangchuan, Liu Yandong, Li Yuanchao, Ma Kai, Li Jianguo, Fan Changlong, Meng Jianzhu, Guo Jinlong, He Yong, Du Qinglin, Zhao Hongzhu, Gu Xiulian, Rêdê, Uyunqimg, Chen Zhili, Zhou Tienong, Wang Shengjun, Chen Changzhi, Zhang Ping, Qiangba Puncog, Chang Wanquan, Jia Chunwang, Wang Zhongyu, Zhang Huaixi, Li Meng, Bai Lichen, Chen Kuiyuan, Abulaiti Abudurexiti, Li Zhaozhuo, Huang Mengfu, Zhang Meiying, Zhang Rongming, Qian Yunlu, Sun Jiazheng, Li Jinhua, Zheng Wantong, Wang Zhizhen, Han Qide, Luo Fuhe, Li Haifeng, Chen Yuan, Zhou Xiaochuan, Wang Jiarui, Qi Xuchun, Liu Xiaofeng, Wang Qinmin, as well as Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin, Chen Bingde, Li Jinai, Qiao Qingchen, Jing Zhiyuan, Zhao Keshi, Wu Shengli, Ma Xiaotian, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng.
Leading officials from central Party, government, military, and mass organizations in Beijing, representatives of veteran comrades, principal officials of centrally administered financial institutions, enterprises, universities, and research institutions in Beijing, members and alternate members of the Central Committee in Beijing, delegates to the 19th National Congress of the CPC, members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, deputies to the National People's Congress, members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representatives of compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan and overseas Chinese, members of central committees of democratic parties and executive committee members of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce in Beijing, representatives of personages without party affiliation, responsible officials of Beijing, recipients of national medals and honorary titles, winners of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Meritorious Medal, honorary titles such as "National Model in Poverty Alleviation," "National Top Science and Technology Award," "Space Hero," and "Heroic Astronaut," representatives of national advanced model workers, the 11th Panchen Lama Erdini Qoigyijabu, leaders of national religious groups, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering in Beijing, representatives of outstanding returned overseas students, relatives of some deceased veteran comrades, relatives of martyrs and those who died on duty, representatives of recipients of the "50 Years of Glory in the Party" commemorative medal, representatives of new Party members admitted in 2021, representatives of ethnic minorities nationwide, key national preferential care recipients, representatives from all walks of life in the capital, and officers and soldiers of troops stationed in Beijing watched the performance.
Distinguished international friends, foreign diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations in China, as well as foreign experts, were also invited to watch the performance.
