BEIJING, Oct. 1 (INP): A ceremony for raising the National Flag was held here Monday morning at the Tian'anmen Square in downtown to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), with a new vigour.

The Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army escorted the national flag to the square, while the military band played the national anthem.

Around 145,000 people from across China gathered at the square to watch the ceremony.

Tian'anmen Square witnessed the raising of the first PRC national flag on Oct. 1, 1949, marking a great new start for the Chinese people.

Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Communist Party of China participated in a number of events, including a ceremony commemorating the country's martyrs and a grand reception to celebrate National Day.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission and other leaders paid tribute and laid floral baskets at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tian'anmen Square to honor national heroes on the annual Martyrs' Day. They were joined by veterans, family members of martyrs and several others.

Premier Li Keqiang noted in a speech on the occasion that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Reform is the fundamental driving force for China's development, and the country's determination to advance reform and opening-up will remain as strong as ever, he said.

China will firmly uphold the rules-based multilateral system, open up at a higher level, and share development opportunities and outcomes with other countries while upholding its own interests, Li said.

Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative will be boosted to ensure win-win progress, and new areas will be explored through complementary and mutual opening-up, he said.

The country will continue putting people first in its development endeavors and address their concerns with effective measures, Li said. China will seek to better deliver targeted poverty relief, employment, education, medical care and eldercare by increasing inputs, rationalizing relevant institutions, boosting supplies and providing better services, he said.

Li said China will continue its major policies on Taiwan, uphold the one-China principle and adhere to the 1992 Consensus. The country will firmly safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and never allow any separatist attempt or activity for "Taiwan independence" in any form, he said. A broader market and more diverse development opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises by expanding cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation will be promoted, he said.

INP/J/AJ