Beijing: Top Chinese leaders led by President Hu Jintao today (Oct 1, 2004) joined some two lakh citizens in Beijing to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic where youths pledged to strive for national rejuvenation and safeguard the motherland's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Braving the chilly weather, top Chinese Communist Party leadership led by Hu Jintao, National People's Congress chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao appeared in the Zhongshan Park, the Working People's Cultural Palace, the Beihai Park, the Temple of Heaven, and the China Museum of Ethnic Culture, where people had gathered for celebrations.

A variety of exhibitions and performances were also held in the five parks, which showcased the great achievements China has made in all fields since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

As in the past, the Chinese Government has declared a week-long holiday to mark the National Day.

Unlike the 50th National Day on October 1, 1999 which was marked by a massive military parade, the 55th National Day of the People's Republic is being marked in a down-to-earth fashion in line with the new Chinese leadership's wish to be seen as more people-friendly.

Beijing, the national capital, has been turned into a sea of flowers with National flags flying in the streets and atop Government buildings and residential houses.