October is a significant month in Chinese history. The success of the Wuchang Uprising, the founding of the Republic of China, the victory of World War Ⅱ, the Retrocession and former President Chiang Kai-shek's birthday all took place in the month of October. Thus it is a month of colorful celebration and festivities, climaxing in the Double Ten celebration.
Preparations for the celebration begin in September, when student and military parade participants and other performers begin rehearsing. Brightly painted celebration arches are erected on major streets, and buildings are colorfully decorated. In the evening streets and buildings are transformed into a brilliant array of lights.
Every year many overseas Chinese flock to Taipei for the Double Ten. In past years Communist China has tried to lure overseas Chinese back to participate in their own October first celebration. This year they marked their 35th year of mainland occupation with a large scale military parade. Last February they began an extensive propaganda campaign promising free airplane tickets and hotel accommodations near Peiping for those returning for the occasion. The result: only slightly over 1,000 overseas Chinese went to participate.
In contrast, the number of Chinese returning to Free China for the Double Ten was even greater than in the past. Over 30,000 overseas Chinese participated this year, many of whom took leave from their jobs to travel the long distance. A number of home coming Chinese have no relatives in Taiwan. While the government pays for a four day, three night visit to southern Taiwan, all other travel and accommodations are at their own expense. The number of those who returned, along with their great enthusiasm demonstrates strong support among overseas Chinese for democratic, Free China.
This year many participants expressed deep concern over recent agreements between Great Britain and Communist China regarding the handing over of Hong Kong to Communist control in 1997. Petition signing activities were organized by Chinese from Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Argentina, the United States and the Philippines to support Hong Kong Chinese in their struggle for the protection of freedom, peace and prosperity. In addition the Executive Yuan has decided on the creation of a special Hong Kong Committee headed by Minister Lin Yang-kang, to study and adopt measures relating to the Hong Kong issue.
Among the many Chinese who arrived from overseas, one was a widely known star of Cantonese Opera, Hung-hung, who fled from Communist China to Singapore in March, and came to Taiwan on the eve of the October celebrations. The Six Freedom Fighters attended, along with a number of foreign representatives.
On the cool, crisp morning of October 10, 250,000 people crowded in front of the Presidential Palace. At 9:57 six jets of the army's air wing opened the ceremonies by soaring in formation over the square, leaving behind colorful trails of smoke. Ni Wen-ya, president of the Legislative Yuan served as master of ceremonies. In his opening speech he expressed concern for overseas Chinese, and the need for all Chinese, at home and abroad to unite and work together to accomplish the great task of unifying China.
At 10:22 President Chiang Ching-kuo appeared on the balcony of the Presidential Palace with Vice President Li Teng-hui and Ni Wen-ya, and waved to an audience which greeted him with cheers and applause. Cabinet members attending a celebration assembly of the central administration were also present.
In his message to the assembly the President stated: "If the nation is to progress, our compatriots must share a common recognition. They must do their part and work together, the hearts and efforts of tens of thousands joining in a single cause. The success of any great cause comes only after difficulty and trial. After 30 years of hard work on Taiwan our compatriots have established a strong, prosperous and dignified base. We believe that China's adversities will soon be over, and that the prospect of a new China united under the Three Principles of the People is opening up before us."
The President's speech was followed by a parade, which unfolded in four different sections. In the first section the strength of the nation was represented by marching military groups. The second group was made up of young students dressed in brightly colored uniforms. The third section included overseas Chinese, freedom fighters and representatives from all walks of life: farmers, workers, businessmen, religious groups, veterans and aborigines. The final group consisted of representatives of the performing arts. With high spirit and enthusiasm these groups represented the common hope and prosperity of the Republic of China.
After the parade, festivities such as dragon dances and other traditional Chinese performances were organized at various locations throughout the afternoon and evening. Festivities concluded with a fireworks display over the Tamsui River. While crowds were too large for everyone to participate, the day's activities were covered on TV for all to enjoy.
On the day following the ceremonies, overseas Chinese were treated by the government to a tour of various farms, factories, schools and other organizations in central and southern Taiwan. All were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the changes and progress they observed, and expressed their admiration and support.
Those overseas Chinese who were unable to return this October held their own celebrations at home. In Hong Kong numerous Double Ten activities were announced in local papers. Celebration arches and flags of the Republic of China were erected throughout the city. From the enthusiasm of this year's celebrations at home and abroad we can see that wherever there are Chinese, there will always be a Double Ten.
(Jill Ardourel)
[Picture Caption]
1. A young child holds the Chinese flag and gleefully surveys the Double Ten parade activities atop her father's back. 2. With impressive uniformity and power, a university drum band participates in the Double Ten parade.
1,2,5. One section of the parade featured representatives from all ranks of the army, navy and air force. 3. A scene of parading troops is reflected on the mouths of tubas. 4. Military police on motorcycles take the responsibility of leading the parade. 6. President Chiang Ching-kuo greets the 250,000 compatriots who arrived for the Double Ten celebration. 7. Multicolored balloons and confetti float up into the sky, adding to the exciting atmosphere of the National Day festivities.
1. Many foreign guests made a special trip to Taiwan to celebrate the birthday of the Republic of China and participate in the Double Ten festivities. 2. Foreign reporters busy taking pictures of the celebration. 3. After the celebration, young students carrying colorful umbrellas leave the ceremonies in orderly fashion. 4. A young woman emanates strength and confidence as she directs the honor guard of a girls high school participating in the parade. 5. America's Miss Chinatown, Kuan Ming-chu made a special trip back to Taiwan to join the parade. 6. President Chiang Ching-kuo receives foreign visitors who arrived for Double Ten. 7. Energetic, exuberant youths sing and wave colorful shakers. 8,9. Students from the National Fine Arts College perform a fan dance. Other students dressed in specially designed, eye-catching costumes dance with less traditional shakers.
1-5. Shots of the performances in the President's Square on the afternoon of Double Ten. 1. The Dragon Dance. 2. Students from the Chiang K'ai-shek High School in Keelung perform with bells. 3. Dancers from Shih-hsin Technical School. 4. The Lion Dance. 5. The traditional Harvest Dance of the Shanti peoples. 6. In celebration of Double Ten, the Presidential Palace and ceremonial arches facing the square are lit up with colored lights. Up above, fireworks fill the sky.
Overseas Chinese returning for the October festivities witnessed skydiving performances, a display of military vehicles and torpedo explosions. All were impressed and proud of the superior equipment, high morale and strength of Taiwan's military.
2. With impressive uniformity and power, a university drum band participates in the Double Ten parade.
1,2,5. One section of the parade featured representatives from all ranks of the army, navy and air force.
1,2,5. One section of the parade featured representatives from all ranks of the army, navy and air force.
3. A scene of parading troops is reflected on the mouths of tubas.
4. Military police on motorcycles take the responsibility of leading the parade.
1,2,5. One section of the parade featured representatives from all ranks of the army, navy and air force.
6. President Chiang Ching-kuo greets the 250,000 compatriots who arrived for the Double Ten celebration.
7. Multicolored balloons and confetti float up into the sky, adding to the exciting atmosphere of the National Day festivities.
1. Many foreign guests made a special trip to Taiwan to celebrate the birthday of the Republic of China and participate in the Double Ten festivities.
2. Foreign reporters busy taking pictures of the celebration.
3. After the celebration, young students carrying colorful umbrellas leave the ceremonies in orderly fashion.
4. A young woman emanates strength and confidence as she directs the honor guard of a girls high school participating in the parade.
5. America's Miss Chinatown, Kuan Ming-chu made a special trip back to Taiwan to join the parade.
6. President Chiang Ching-kuo receives foreign visitors who arrived for Double Ten.
7. Energetic, exuberant youths sing and wave colorful shakers.
8,9. Students from the National Fine Arts College perform a fan dance. Other students dressed in specially designed, eye-catching costumes dance with less traditional shakers.
8,9. Students from the National Fine Arts College perform a fan dance. Other students dressed in specially designed, eye-catching costumes dance with less traditional shakers.
1-5. Shots of the performances in the President's Square on the afternoon of Double Ten. 1. The Dragon Dance.
2. Students from the Chiang K'ai-shek High School in Keelung perform with bells.
3. Dancers from Shih-hsin Technical School.
4. The Lion Dance.
5. The traditional Harvest Dance of the Shanti peoples.
6. In celebration of Double Ten, the Presidential Palace and ceremonial arches facing the square are lit up with colored lights. Up above, fireworks fill the sky.
Overseas Chinese returning for the October festivities witnessed skydiving performances, a display of military vehicles and torpedo explosions. All were impressed and proud of the superior equipment, high morale and strength of Taiwan's military.
Overseas Chinese returning for the October festivities witnessed skydiving performances, a display of military vehicles and torpedo explosions. All were impressed and proud of the superior equipment, high morale and strength of Taiwan's military.
Overseas Chinese returning for the October festivities witnessed skydiving performances, a display of military vehicles and torpedo explosions. All were impressed and proud of the superior equipment, high morale and strength of Taiwan's military.
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