Beijingers reflect on the PRC's fiftieth anniversary By Mike Forsythe Mike Forsythe is the former Executive Editor of Harvard Asia Quarterly. He is currently enrolled in an intensive Chinese language program at Beijing's Qinghua University. By most accounts, China's October 1st celebration commemorating By most accounts, China's October 1st celebration commemorating 50 years of Communist rule is to be remembered as the party of the century.
Older residents paint a complex picture.
Except for 1999, nothing compares to those early years. Things are so much better now. The pride in China's economic accomplishments is nearly universally touted by both young and old, as are China's foreign policy successes. This sentiment is shared by a student from the northern port city of Dalian, who lauded President Jiang Zemin's skill at avoiding conflict with the U.S. during the past several crisis-laden years. Beijing celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the PRC's founding in style.