Flag Raising Ceremony

A detail from the People's Armed Police preparing to raise the flag.

The Flag Raising Ceremony is a traditional military ceremony of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China which is done publicly in Tiananmen Square, a public square located in the capital of Beijing. The tradition started in 1954 under Mao Zedong. The ceremony is conducted by the PLA's Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion, which is part of the 1st Guard Division, Central Theater Command. It is done daily precisely at sunrise, with notable ceremonies taking place on National Day of the People's Republic of China in October and New Year's Day in January.