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People’s Republic of China at 70
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Military vehicles take to the streets of Beijing in preparation for the October 1 anniversary parade. Photo: Reuters

Beijing bans kites, pigeon flying in preparation for China’s 70th anniversary parade

  • Balloons, drones also grounded as government imposes two-week restriction ahead of October 1 celebrations to mark founding of People’s Republic
  • More than 100,000 people expected to take part in ‘mass pageantry’ in Tiananmen Square

China has banned the flying of kites, drones and pigeons over central Beijing for more than two weeks as it prepares for a military parade and other celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule on October 1.

Flying activities that affect flight safety are prohibited in seven of the capital’s 16 districts from Sunday to October 1, according to a notice on the municipal government’s website. The banned activities also include flying balloons and lanterns.

Military planes flew over the parade route on Sunday as China held rehearsals for the second weekend in a row. Tanks and other military vehicles rumbled along the same road the previous night. The broad road was closed to both vehicles and pedestrians, with any onlookers kept behind barriers at least a block away.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at next month’s ceremony. Photo: Reuters

The parade is part of a huge ceremony planned at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Communist forces took power after defeating Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist army in a civil war. The Nationalists subsequently retreated to the island of Taiwan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at the ceremony, and more than 100,000 people will take part in what is described as a “mass pageantry”.

Organisers said the military parade will be larger than ones held on the nation’s 50th and 60th anniversaries, as well as the one held in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Tiananmen Square was closed to visitors over the weekend and due to reopen on Monday at 10am. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tiananmen Square was closed to visitors over the weekend and due to reopen on Monday at 10am, Xinhua said. Some roads and subway stations were also closed at various times, as well as access to buildings along the parade route.

Keeping pigeons is a traditional pastime in China and racing the birds is a popular sport. Pigeon coops can be seen on the roofs of buildings in old neighbourhoods in Beijing.

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