China's Communist Party celebrates its 100th anniversary

China's ruling Communist Party celebrated its 100th anniversary on Thursday at the Tiananmen Square, with thousands of party workers and school children singing songs praising the party and the country.

The celebrations began with a fly past and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who heads the Communist Party of China, arrived at the function dressed in the Mao suit.

While there was no military parade, army, air force and navy personnel participated in a brief march.

Thousands of school children accompanied with military bands sang songs praising the CPC.

Participants wave national and party flags as balloons are released at the end of the event marking the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves next to Premier Li Keqiang and former president Hu Jintao at the end of the event marking the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Members of the honour guard march past participants at the event marking the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Military aircraft fly in formation past a red flag at the event marking the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

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