After 60 years of Communist rule, China celebrated the anniversary today with military demonstrations, parades, and fireworks. Hu Jintao, Communist Party leader and President, spoke in Tiannamen Square from the same spot Mao Zedong had declared the creation of a new China: "[We] have triumphed over all sorts of difficulties and setbacks and risks to gain the great achievements evident to the world. Today, a socialist China geared towards modernisation, the world and the future towers majestically in the east. We have realised the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Only a select group of 30,000 guests were present for the speech, the rest of the country having been asked to watch the day's events at home on television.

You can read more about the anniversary celebration in this article from the New York Times and watch highlights from the celebration below.

On Monday, the World Affairs Council will be hosting a panel of China experts who will discuss China's remarkable transformation and the future of democracy in China.