Stages of History | Tiananmen Square

The Flagpole

Every morning at the break of day a solemn ceremony is held at the flagpole to the north of the Square as the "Five Star Red Flag" of the People's Republic of China is hoisted on high by a ceremonial guard of PLA soldiers. This ceremony is very popular with out-of-town visitors who regard it as one of the "sights" of the city.

The whole world is denouncing us. That's wonderful. I'm delighted. What would the Communist Party be if it wasn't denounced by others?

--Mao Zedong, from a speech made at Lushan in August 1958