Today marks Martyrs' Day in China. A commemoration ceremony has been held at Tian'anmen Square in the capital Beijing to honor and remember deceased national heroes. President Xi Jinping led senior leaders in paying silent tribute and offering flower baskets at the Monument to the People's Heroes.

A ceremony is held to present flowers to the people's heroes at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2016, to honor and remember deceased national heroes on the Martyrs' Day. China's legislature approved Sept. 30 as the Martyrs' Day in 2014, to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for national causes. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Honoring those who lost their lives fighting for national independence and prosperity. The ceremony started with the national anthem. President Xi Jinping, standing with other top leaders and representatives from all walks of life, sang the anthem together. And then, a silent and respectful minute for the heroes.

President Xi Jinping and top leaders laid flower baskets in tribute and walked around the monument. They were joined by thousands of representatives of veterans' and martyrs' families, and others.

They paid respect to those who sacrificed their lives for China’s independence and liberation from the First Opium War in 1840, to the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

September 30th was designated as Martyrs’ Day in 2014, in order to honor those heroes, who paid the ultimate price for national independence and the freedom and well-being of the Chinese people.

A ceremony is held to present flowers to the people's heroes at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2016, to honor and remember deceased national heroes on the Martyrs' Day. China's legislature approved Sept. 30 as the Martyrs' Day in 2014, to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for national causes. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)