A military parade was organized on October 1 in Beijing to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. At the parade, representatives of overseas Chinese and ethnic Chinese, including some Zhongshan folks, witnessed the prosperity of China and deeply felt the warm atmosphere of national celebration.

Sun Bida and his son Sun Weiyong, now living in Hong Kong, came to witness the spectacular military parade. This is the fourth time he watched the National Day parade. As Sun Yat-sen's great-grandnephew, he was moved to see the portrait of Sun Yat-sen erected in front of the Monument of the People's Heroes. "The new military equipment, the young phalanx teams and a large number of technical personnel have showed me the progress of the country and the hope of the nation," he said.

Jonathan Choi, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and a native of Zhongshan living in Hong Kong, watched the National Day parade at the scene for the second time. Like his father Choi Kai-yau College, Jonathan has deep feelings for his motherland and hometown. Amazed by this military parade, he is hence proud of the prosperity and progress of New China.

Rong Baoquan, a native of Zhongshan in Costa Rica and President of the Zhongshan Friendship Association in Costa Rica, stepped into the visitors' stand of the military parade for the third time. He was amazed by the debut of numerous newly developed weapons and equipment as well as the lively mass procession which showed the breadth and depth of Chinese culture and the diversity of folk customs.

John Huang, President of the Zhongshan Association in California, was born in Shaxi and emigrated to the United States in 1990. He was lucky enough to be present at the ceremony and record the parade with his camera. "I am extremely proud to see the strength of China and the spirit of unity, friendship, and initiative of Chinese people. I can hardly describe my feelings at the moment," he said.