Hot pace set to watch flag-raising ceremony in Tian'anmen Square

Cheng Yiting, a 21-year-old student, is not surprised that the video she posted on social media of people sprinting in Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, to secure a place in the front row to watch the flag-raising ceremony went viral.

"Everyone wants to watch the ceremony in the front row to see the national flag being raised as the sun comes up, which makes Chinese people feel proud," she said.

Cheng said she was greatly touched by the ceremony held in the heart of the capital and the nation's political center, which over the years has been watched by countless people from China and elsewhere.

The flag-raising is considered by many Chinese to be an event they must attend at least once in their lifetime, especially since the number of honor guards was greatly increased and additional ceremony was introduced to the occasion on May 1, 1991.

"This daily event sends a powerful signal that a strong nation is always behind its people. In addition to feeling proud of China, I felt a strong sense of security while watching the ceremony," Cheng said.