Chinese government workers dressed in traditional costumes take part in a competition of singing patriotic songs in Chengdu.

Chinese citizens and government workers have been preparing for months for their upcoming celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1st. Parts of Beijing have been shut down several times, allowing for rehearsals of a once-in-a-decade military parade, multiple artistic performances and shows, fireworks and more. Security concerns are high as well, bringing out large details of security personnel and equipment. Collected here are images from the past several weeks of people around China preparing to celebrate their National Day.

 

Workers renovate a statue of China’s late chairman Mao Zedong at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

The National Grand Theatre stands surrounded by water in central Beijing.

 A man rides a bicycle past the National Unity Poles.

 

Performers practice for Beijing’s 60th Anniversary celebrations at a training camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

 

Chinese military vehicles are parked on Changan Ave. near Tiananmen Square during a rehearsal for a ceremony marking China’s 60th anniversary.

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers perform during a rehearsal of a musical drama at the Great Hall of the People.

 

Participants rehearse on one of the National Day floats in Beijing.

 A worker rests on a chair before the rehearsal of a cantata at the Jiangwan Stadium.

Paramilitary policemen take part in an oath-taking rally to ensure the safety of the upcoming 60th anniversary.

Performers take part in a chorus performance of patriotic songs involving 10,000 participants held at a gym in Beijing.

Participants stand in form in a boulevard leading to Tiananmen Square in Beijing during a rehearsal.

A couple take wedding pictures in front of the Tiananmen Gate.

Members of China’s Air Force battalion march as they rehearse for the National Day parade.

 Soldiers take part in an exercise for the military parade at an airport of People’s Liberation Army in Beijing.

Pupils create the national flag on a canvas by using their hands dipped in red paint at a primary school in Jinan.

Policewomen on horseback stand guard in a line outside the World Expo Center.

A giant float highlighting China’s space program.

Thousands of participants rehearse a formation on Tiananmen Square.

Students from a martial arts school jump with spring-loaded stilts over a giant national flag during a rehearsal.

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers perform a dance featuring Long March during a rehearsal of a musical drama entitled “The Road of Revival”.

Thousands of participants rehearse a formation on Tiananmen Square.

Chinese military singers take part in a chorus performance of patriotic songs involving 10,000 participants.

A couple kiss as workers test the lights at the Great Hall of the People at the Tiananmen Square.

A man gets a haircut featuring Tiananmen Gate at a barbershop, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Via boston.com