A huge portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China, was displayed in the National Day parade in Beijing Thursday morning.

As Mao's portrait moved forward under the escort of paraders waving the festive red silk, the great helmsman's voice was replayed through the loudspeakers over the square -- "The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China was founded today."

Mao announced the birth of New China on the Tian'anmen Rostrum on Oct.1, 1949, after the Chinese people weathered decades of warfare and social conflicts and an economy ravaged by high inflation.

Paraders were also seen holding big red Chinese characters of "Long live the Mao Zedong Thought" and "The Chinese people have henceforce stood up."