The mood at the 25th anniversary of the People's Republic was almost unpolitical, by Peking's standards. Unlike past celebrations of Chairman Mao Tse-tung's triumph, which were usually dominated by purposive displays of military muscle, this year's holiday had an air of festive gaiety.
In Peking's splendidly decorated parks, acrobats, singers and dancers performed for the crowds. There were spectacular fireworks, the ever-popular lion dance, and elaborate fairground games. At one game, youngsters could take part in simulated shoot-downs of enemy aircraft; at another, engineering students could test their skills at a...
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