BEIJING — Formations featuring a giant national flag and the emblem of the People's Republic of China (PRC) began to march through the Tian'anmen Square, ushering in a mass pageantry in celebrations of the PRC's 70th birthday in central Beijing on Oct 1.

A total of 1,949 young people held up and escorted the five-star red flag through the square, where the first national flag was hoisted 70 years ago.

The following formation, comprised of 2,019 young people, presented the national emblem, a symbol of the dignity and strength of the Chinese people.

Amid the Ode to the Red Flag, a formation of 21 vehicles slowly passed through, on which representatives of family members from the older generation of Party, State and army leaders, representatives of the older generation of builders and their family members, as well as senior and model veterans received salutes from the audience.