China celebrates 60th Anniversary

People perform during National Day celebrations in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square but due to security concerns most of Beijing's 17 million citizens were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China. AFP PHOTO

Chinese children dressed in costumes wait on Tiananmen Square for the National Day parade to start in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China celebrated 60 years of communist rule with a massive military parade and elaborate pageantry on Beijing's Tiananmen Square showcasing the nation's revival as a global power. AFP PHOTO

People perform during National Day celebrations in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square but due to security concerns most of Beijing's 17 million citizens were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China. AFP PHOTO

People take part in National Day celebrations in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square but due to security concerns most of Beijing's 17 million citizens were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China. AFP PHOTO

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) women soldiers march past during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. President Hu Jintao called for even stronger armed forces as China flexed its muscles in a National Day parade, but experts said the PLA's marching skills might exceed actual fighting ability. AFP PHOTO

People perform during National Day celebrations in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square but due to security concerns most of Beijing's 17 million citizens were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China. AFP PHOTO

China at 60: Live Blogs

A giant portrait of president Hu Jintao is displayed during National Day celebrations in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square but due to security concerns most of Beijing's 17 million citizens were relegated to watching the pageant in their hometown on television like the rest of China. AFP PHOTO

China at 60: Live Blogs

Tanks and militia parade along the Avenue of Eternal Peace (Chang'An Avenue) past Tiananmen Square during National Day celebrations in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China celebrated 60 years of communist rule with a military parade and lavish ceremonies showcasing the nation's revival as a global power. AFP PHOTO

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) women soldiers march past during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. President Hu Jintao called for even stronger armed forces as China flexed its muscles in a National Day parade, but experts said the PLA's marching skills might exceed actual fighting ability. AFP PHOTO

China's military shows off their various mobile attillery units during the National Day in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square. AFP PHOTO

Various aircrafts from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) airforce perform a fly pass during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square. AFP PHOTO

Chinese President Hu Jintao reviews the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops prior to the start of the National Day parade on Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval officers march pass Tiananmen Square during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square. AFP PHOTO

Chinese women militias march by Tiananmen Square during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) tanks rumble past Tiananmen Square during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) tanks rumble pass Tiananmen Square during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square. AFP PHOTO

 China at 60: Live Blogs

Chinese Air Force fighter jets fly over during the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2009. China formally kicked off mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rung out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square. AFP PHOTO

China at 60: Live Blogs

True to their promise, the authorities cleared the skies by artificial cloud seeding last night. Now the sun is shining gloriously, the skies are perfectly blue and the people dressed in their Sunday best have crowded in huge numbers at the Tiananmen Square. Picture Courtesy: Hridayesh Joshi

This morning's impressive display was just the reaffirmation of what we have known for some time: the term "Chimerica," indicating China and America as two pre-eminent superpowers is no longer a chimera. It is a fact now. Picture Courtesy: Hridayesh Joshi