Beijing: Chinese leaders on Saturday descended on
the Tiananmen Square in the capital and paid tribute to the
martyrs as the country marked the 62nd national day, with
Premier Wen Jiabao pledging to address the nation`s biggest
issues, including rising inflation and corruption.
The celebrations kicked off with President Hu Jintao and
other top leaders paying floral tributes to the martyrs at the
Monument to the People`s Heroes at the Tiananmen Square.
In a speech last night, Wen pledged to address rising
inflation, a yawning income gap, unemployment, food safety,
corruption, environmental destruction and social injustice.
He said the country stable and fast growth despite
complex world economic situation.
"China`s economy has maintained stable and fast growth
with price hikes under control," Wen said, adding the living
standards have also raised as the urban employment has further
increased.
"All this show that the policies and measures taken by
the CPC Central Committee and State Council, (Cabinet) are
correct," Wen said, addressing a reception held for diplomats
last night.
As the leaders celebrated the Day with ceremonies, the
country was officially shutdown for a week to mark the day,
most of the Chinese moved out to either villages or to the
holiday destinations putting pressure on the country`s
transport systems.
State media reported that during the week-long National
Day holiday starting from today more than 530 million people
are expected to travel, an increase of about 10 per cent from
the same period last year.
He Jianzhong, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport,
said China`s railways, highways and airlines will serve a
daily average of 75.6 million travellers during the holiday
from October 1 to 7.
He said that more than 8.30 lakh buses with 20 million
seats will be operating during the holiday. Meanwhile, 21,000
ships with nearly 900,000 seats will be operating at full
steam.
Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Railways announced that
train ticket-returning charges were lowered from 20 per cent
of the face value to five per cent, Xinhua reported.
PTI
