CBC reports on life in Beijing in the run-up to October 1:
It’s the sort of parade the Communist Party organizes once every decade to celebrate its national day and the focus of this year’s extravaganza is supposed to be the New China — the China that has evolved since Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic 60 years ago.
Too bad the people aren’t invited.
In Beijing, every neighbourhood and district, each thoroughfare and alleyway, that touches upon the parade route will be blocked off.
The rehearsals that have intermittently shut down the city have been as much about making sure people can’t get too close to the action as they have been about glorifying six decades of Communist rule.
[…] As much as this year’s festivities are supposed to be about the New China, the feel of Beijing these days is much more that of the Old China.
The combination of neighbourhood snoops, armed and un-armed police, soldiers, and other security personnel has recreated a capital city that Mao, no doubt, would have approved.