Performers ready to shine at gala event

Participants in the grand evening gala celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China are fully prepared and aiming to deliver a perfect performance.

The gala is scheduled to start at 8 pm on Tuesday at Tian'anmen Square with themed performances, shows and fireworks lasting around 90 minutes.

Huang Haiyan, deputy director of the performances department of the grand evening gala headquarters, said that 2,502 grassroots performers have been gearing up for the stage show.

During the performance they will have to hold up heavy balls which change color for a long period as part of a spectacular and physically demanding show.

"Every participant has been practicing from early morning till late night while holding a 3.5-kilogram ball for more than 10 hours a day during the past four months," Huang said. "Many of them could barely pick up chopsticks after the first few days."

With the youngest 13 years old and the oldest 59, quite a few struggled with the hot weather and the tough training regimen, she said. But not one of them chose to quit. They all cherished the opportunity to celebrate the country's 70th birthday with their own contribution, Huang added.

Liu Jiale, a senior student at the Shaolin Epo Wushu College in Dengfeng, Henan province, is thrilled he can finally fulfill a wish he made when he first came to Beijing with his mother 10 years ago to watch the military parade.

"I was too little then to remember the details, but I can still recall the excitement of seeing the soldiers, as well as the tanks and jets," the 19-year-old said, adding he dreamed of participating in the celebration one day.

"With thousands of people performing on the stage at the same time, it's difficult to spot any single person. Although each of us is only responsible for a small task, as a group we are dedicated to a great show for our people and country, and I'm very proud to be part of it."

With his dream to soon come true, he is looking forward to joining the military parade on the 80th anniversary as a soldier in the People's Liberation Army.