At around 10 am, Xi and other leaders -- Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng -- arrived at the square. They were joined by representatives from all walks of life.

Among the more than 2,400 flower-bearing attendees were veterans, relatives of martyrs, recipients of national medals and honorary titles, role models, students and children.

As the ceremony started, all attendees sang the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence in tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Chinese people and the development of the PRC.