Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Beijing shuts down for National Day gala  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
 
Australia
China
India
 Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beijing shuts down for National Day gala
 
 
  
 
 AFP - Thursday, October  1
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Beijing shuts down for National Day gala
 
 
 
 
 
 
BEIJING (AFP) - – China launched a massive shut-down of bustling central Beijing Wednesday on the eve of a spectacular celebration of 60 years of Communist rule, with authorities determined to leave nothing to chance.
 
The Forbidden City and other landmarks around Tiananmen Square were closed and normally jam-packed rush-hour traffic was sparse in other parts of Beijing as authorities moved to block off a wide swathe of the city of 17 million.
 
At least 100,000 people will take part Thursday in National Day festivities centred on the square that will laud China's emergence -- under Communist Party leadership -- as a world economic, military and political power.
 
Spearheading the gala will be a morning military parade with some of the latest-generation home-grown weaponry, in what experts say will be a statement to the world to take China seriously.
 
Amid unrest in ethnic minority regions like Xinjiang and Tibet, authorities have imposed some of the tightest security in the capital's history in recent weeks -- and the controls were to be ratcheted up on Wednesday.
 
Major roads including the parade route on the Avenue of Eternal Peace -- Beijing's central thoroughfare -- and much of the subway system was to be shut down at night.
 
"People should finish up early and go home or they might encounter problems. That's what we are telling pedestrians," said Xiao Matian, a volunteer traffic guard.
 
A heightened security presence could be seen along the parade route, with police on patrol, some approaches to the avenue sealed off with police tape and many of an estimated 800,000 red-sashed security "volunteers" out in force.
 
China typically holds grand celebrations every 10 years to commemorate revolutionary leader Mao Zedong's October 1, 1949 proclamation of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
 
Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun told journalists the event would showcase "a China which has strong confidence in its future".
 
In a speech at a 60th anniversary reception Wednesday attended by the nation's top leadership and foreign dignitaries, Premier Wen Jiabao predicted China's further rise.
 
"In another 40 years, the 100th anniversary of our nation's founding will come. At that time, a prosperous, powerful, democratic, civilised, harmonious and advanced socialist nation will tower over the East," he said.
 
But authorities have shown their nervousness this year, by taking extreme steps to ensure nothing spoils the party.
 
They include even banning the flying of pigeons and kites, and declaring war on pests at Tiananmen Square, where a new giant portrait of Mao has been hung.
 
Beggars and the homeless have been cleared out and knife sales temporarily banned in at least some stores in the capital after two recent stabbings near Tiananmen Square that state media said left two dead and 14 injured.
 
The high security will render Thursday's gala a made-for-TV event for the vast majority of Beijing citizens.
 
"Police suggest that Beijing residents try not to go out on October 1 to avoid complications. They recommend the public watch the celebrations live on TV," the state-run China Daily newspaper said.
 
Major hotels near Tiananmen Square told AFP they had stopped accepting foreign guests, in line with a government order, and residents living on the parade route have been ordered to stay off balconies and keep windows shut.
 
Meanwhile, Beijing's airport would suspend flights for three hours during the parade, apparently to clear the skies for a flyover by dozens of military aircraft.
 
The China Daily said the move would affect 180 flights and cause delays throughout the day Thursday.
 
State media said last week China would even deploy aircraft to spray cloud dispersal chemicals to prevent the weather from raining on its parade.
 
However, an acrid layer of smog that has settled over the capital for days threatened to paint the colourful pageant in a familiar Beijing grey.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Peru's Fujimori gets six-year sentence for corruption AFP - Thursday, October  1
 
More than 1,000 feared dead in major Indonesian quake: officials AFP - Thursday, October  1
 
Nepal church building collapse kills 23: police AFP - Thursday, October  1
 
NKorea should seize 'tremendous opportunity': US envoy AFP - Thursday, October  1
 
Nepal's former rebel chief meets with president AP - Thursday, October  1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
UN demands end of sexual violence as tactic of war
US revision shows recession winding down
German unemployment falls
Fresh violence in Guinea after stadium bloodbath
France Telecom boss under fire over staff suicides
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
France Telecom boss under fire over staff suicides
 
Fresh violence in Guinea after stadium bloodbath
 
Xerox to buy ACS for $6.4 bln
 
Film world backs Polanski as he fights Swiss arrest
 
Britain on course to exit deep recession
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
 
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
 
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
 
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Thursday,  1 October 2009 Probe says Georgia started war amid Russian provocation  
UN chief dismisses deputy head of Afghan mission  
Terminate prostitute site, British minister tells Arnie  
US revision shows recession winding down  
UN fires top US official at UN in Afghanistan  
Google inviting testers to ride its Wave  
Internet, dissidents under watch for China's National Day  
China marks 60 years with spectacle of power
| International
|  
Israel to free prisoners for video of held soldier  
Singapore sets up body to prevent cyber-attacks  
Israel and Hamas in mutual gestures on prisoners  
Georgia started war with Russia: EU-backed report
| International
|  
US agrees to greater international oversight of Web body  
UN chief fires deputy head of Afghan mission  
Distracted driving blamed for 5,800 U.S. deaths  
Peru's Fujimori gets 6 years prison for bribes
| International
|  
TerreStar, AT&T to launch satellite smartphone  
Red Cross warns of complacency in still-bloody Iraq  
Microsoft wins overturn of $388 million patent award  
Guinea junta calls for national unity government
| International
|  
Iran says talks are "test" as U.S. weighs sanctions  
US: Iraq budget shortfall poses security challenge  
German police break up Internet child porn ring  
Village Green, Microsoft partner on carbon tool  
More than 1,000 feared dead in major Indonesian quake: officials  
Beijing shuts down for National Day gala  
Britain asks Schwarzenegger to close prostitute web site
| Technology
|  
Scandal-hit UN program resumes aid in NKorea  
Diplomat says US open to dialogue with NKorea  
Senators reject photo ID for health care benefits  
5-year-old found unhurt after Calif. shootings  
NYPD: Pedestrian collision ends in fatal stabbing  
Sharapova, Jankovic reach Pan Pacific Open quarters  
Missile attack on militants kills 6 in NW Pakistan  
Conservationists sue EPA over prairie dog poison  
Vick to repay $416,000 to pension plan  
Free-to-air services help mobile TV market: chip firm
| Technology
|  
Maine neighbors honor Bush with Navy anchor  
UN wants probe into Sri Lanka camp shooting  
Indonesian land-clearing fires cause choking haze  
Hillary Clinton likes being president for a day  
NRC finds problems in NJ nuke plant emergency  
Feds: rudder loss led Alaska fishing boat to sink  
At least 113 dead in Pacific tsunami: officials  
Religion News in Brief  
Japan clothes giant Uniqlo takes on world's fashion capital  
Matt LeBlanc returning to series TV on Showtime  
Indonesia dresses up after batik 'victory' over Malaysia  
After outcry, France softens tone on Roman Polanski case  
Beauty bug bites Beirut's littlest  
Bharti, MTN abandon merger talks  
ENI wins Pakistan gas block, in Caspian talks  
Japan ready to support ailing JAL: minister  
'Big Brother' changed TV, Dutch creator says 10 years on  
China dissidents say unhappy birthday  
Danone exits Wahaha joint venture in China  
Taiwan to show critical Tibet, Xinjiang films on China's National Day  
Japan PM says government will back JAL  
China fund buys $949M stake in Kazakh oil producer  
Deadly epidemic of distracted driving sweeping US: official  
China, Japan honoured by UNESCO heritage board  
Emirati sheikh emerges as top Lacroix suitor  
After outcry, France changes tone on Roman Polanski case
| Entertainment
|  
Japan needs major reforms for growth, OECD says  
Hugh Craig, Daniel Jackman sell out on Broadway
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee firms  
China orders crackdown on industrial overcapacity  
More than 1,000 feared dead in major Indonesian quake: officials  
Indonesia quake kills 75, thousands trapped  
Michelle Moran mixes love of history with writing
| Entertainment
|  
Powerful earthquake rocks western Indonesia  
Author Chinua Achebe puts pen to page after 20 years
| Entertainment
|  
Obama holds 'candid' talks on Afghan war  
Germany's Oktoberfest shrugs off terror threats  
US-TECH Summary  
China marks 60 years with spectacle of power
| International
|  
Embattled Bank of America CEO Lewis to retire  
US superrich lose 300 bln dlrs in a year: Forbes  
Indonesia quake death toll may be thousands
| International
|  
U.S. and Iran to face off at six-power nuclear talks
| International
|  
Comcast denies it has deal to buy NBC Universal  
Iran pressed to clear up nuclear aims at talks  
GDP revision shows recession winding down  
NBA prohibits use of Twitter, Facebook during games  
Asia typhoon toll 350, floods in Vietnam, Cambodia
| International
|  
UN demands end of sexual violence as tactic of war  
U.S., Iran to face off at six-power nuclear talks  
Obama holds 'candid' Afghanistan talks with top aides  
Koreans, split by war, distraught after reunions
| International
|  
Nortel to sell GSM business  
US: Iraq budget shortfall poses security challenge  
Sudan parties threaten to boycott elections  
Google gadget lets websites go multilingual  
'Baghdad ER' turns off the lights  
Honduras' Micheletti backs off Brazil deadline
| International
|  
Tsunamis turn South Pacific paradise to deadly hell
| International
|  
NY Times planning local editions for other US cities  
Most Americans dislike behavioral advertising: survey  
Hamas, Israel deal: 20 prisoners for soldier video  
Somali rebel groups fight in southern port
| International
|  
Verizon discontinues Internet Hub phone  
Facebook warns of phony friends asking for cash  
Sony's PSP go delivers tighter handheld gaming  
Xmas orders bring labor shortages in China export hubs
| International
|  
New media explosion upends TV ratings system
| Technology
|  
Indonesia quake death toll may be thousands  
Verizon discontinues Internet Hub phone
| Technology
|  
Second quake hits Indonesia's Sumatra  
Comcast denies it has deal to buy NBC Universal
| Technology
|  
Koreans, split by war, distraught after reunions  
Japan's PM to visit SKorea: officials  
Nortel to sell GSM business
| Technology
|  
Obama hears opinions on new Afghan strategy  
Philippine floods victims brace for another typhoon  
US hopeful from first talks with Myanmar  
China celebrates National Day extravaganza  
Vigils planned for captive hikers in Iran  
Robbery suspect escapes from NYC courthouse  
US Congress triples aid to Pakistan  
Settlement blocks Yosemite commercial development  
SC gov asks court to keep ongoing probe secret  
Marine spared prison time for killing detainee  
Developments around the world in Pacific tsumani  
Empire State Building lit for China, drawing ire  
W.Va. meet led to Klamath dam removal, salmon aid  
Google working on smart plug-in hybrid charging
| Technology
|  
U.S. judge refuses to release interrogation documents  
Seoul shares extend loss as exporters hit by won  
S.Korea mortgage loans decline slightly in Sept  
S.Korea KOSPI extends losses as exporters hit  
South Korea's Sept exports lift won, rate outlook  
Bangladesh set for record IPO  
S.Korea Oct crude runs to rise from Sept -survey  
S.Korea Q3 FDI plans hit three-quarter high  
Japan's business confidence grows: BoJ  
Powerful Indonesia quake traps thousands in ruins  
French support softens for Polanski, Hollywood divided  
S.Korea ready take action in FX market  
Strong Indonesia quake kills 200, traps thousands  
S.Korea treasury bonds up on smaller issuance plan  
Indonesia quake death toll at 100-200  
New media explosion upends TV ratings system
| Entertainment
|  
Scores killed as quake hits Indonesia: official  
Argentina, Uruguay bury hatchet to snatch tango honor  
A-list young actors have thirst for Wettest County
| Entertainment
|  
CORRECTION: Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig sell out on Broadway  
Pay or be blamed for son's death, Travolta told
| Entertainment
|  
Dozens killed in Indonesia quake: health ministry  
Handguns, terrorism law on US Supreme Court docket  
French support softens for Polanski, Hollywood divided
| Entertainment
|  
'General Hospital' star checking into another soap  
Mitzi Gaynor returns to isle of "South Pacific"  
LeBlanc to play LeBlanc in TV spoof Episodes
| Entertainment
|  
Gays, lesbians getting better showcase on U.S. TV  
Ramones biopic draws studio interest
| Entertainment
|  
US superrich lose 300 bln dlrs in a year: Forbes  
Gays, lesbians getting better showcase on U.S. TV
| Entertainment
|  
Pearl Jam tops chart for first time in 13 years  
Paul McCartney to release CD/DVD of NY shows
| Entertainment
|  
Paul McCartney to release CD/DVD of NY shows  
Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig sell out on Broadway
| Entertainment
|  
Pulp Fiction screenwriter jailed for fatal crash
| Entertainment
|  
Sony's PSP go delivers tighter handheld gaming  
EU launches free satellite system to fine-tune GPS  
Global recovery strengthening but risks high: IMF  
World economic recovery 'has started': IMF chief  
Iraqi PM ditches old Shi'ite allies for Jan polls  
Ex-prosecutor says he lied about Polanski case: report  
Iran, world powers begin talks on nuclear deadlock  
Israel says Gaza war report threatens peace efforts
| International
|  
Travolta testifies in extortion case  
UN Afghan envoy says sacking 'terrible signal'  
Provide details on Taliban, Pakistan tells U.S.
| International
|  
Romanian leftists quit coalition government
| International
|  
Suu Kyi lawyers hopeful for Myanmar appeal  
Sabotage behind refugees' boat blast: Australian police  
Virtual economies in videogames used as case studies
| Technology
|  
Sect member asks judge to exclude allegations  
Online education expanding, awaits innovation
| Technology
|  
Search on after boat capsizes in India, dozens dead  
Wildfire on California base 50 percent contained  
Cisco bets on video again with $3 billion Tandberg buy
| Technology
|  
NKorea diversifying threats against SKorea: president  
Vegas judge binds ACORN, former employee for trial  
EU launches free satellite system to fine-tune GPS
| Technology
|  
New inquiry ordered into deadly Afghanistan battle  
Noordin's wife leaves for Indonesia to claim body  
Taiwan seeks extradition of 75 fugitives from US  
Britain asks Schwarzenegger to close prostitute website
| Technology
|  
China to sign Taiwan pact after Kadeer ban: report  
Aid flows to tsunami-hit Samoas; death toll at 120  
Rise of NBA star Lebron James charted in documentary  
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee flat  
Black music awards honour Michael Jackson  
Vehicle sales in Japan rise for second month  
Ramones biopic draws studio interest  
China to sign Taiwan pact after Kadeer ban: report  
A-list young actors have thirst for "Wettest County"  
New media upends TV ratings system  
Seoul auctioneer seeks to sell more Hirsts to Asia  
LeBlanc to play LeBlanc in TV spoof "Episodes"  
S.Korea seen buying up to $2 bln to check won's rise  
China govt PMI shows recovery on track: govt  
Flavor Flav heads back to high school  
IMF raises world growth forecast, remains cautious  
French minister doubts U.S. fairness to Roman Polanski
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistani c.bank buys 60.2 bln rupees of T-bills  
Comic Artie Lange pleads guilty to DUI in NJ  
Business confidence in Japan up for second quarter  
Ex-INXS singer held in hospital after heart surgery
| Entertainment
|  
Gays, lesbians getting better showcase on U.S. TV
| Entertainment
|  
Cuban exiles changed tune on Havana concert: poll
| Entertainment
|  
Online education expanding, awaits innovation
| Entertainment
|  
Cars may one day mimic fish to avoid collisions  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights