As 2026 dawned, Beijing's iconic Tiananmen Square became a tapestry of hope as thousands braved the winter chill for China's first sunrise flag-raising ceremony. Families, students, and travelers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, smartphones raised alongside red paper flags, capturing the moment the five-starred banner ascended to 'March of the Volunteers' 🎶.
"This year feels different," shared Li Wei, 24, wrapped in a panda-themed scarf. "Seeing grandparents and kids here together – it's like our past and future meeting under one sky." The ceremony comes as China prepares for major 2026 initiatives, including green energy expansion and AI development goals announced last month.
While the event maintained its traditional military precision 💂♂️, new tech shone through – drone light shows projected 3D lunar base designs overhead, hinting at China's 2026 space ambitions. CGTN's Guo Tianqi noted record attendance despite -8°C temperatures, with live streams reaching over 50 million globally 🌐.
