China releases standard musical score and official recording of national anthem
A flag-raising ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China is held at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2024. [Photo by Sheng Jiapeng/China News Service]
China on September 1, 2024, announced the release of the standard sheet music and official recording of the Chinese national anthem — "March of the Volunteers" — with this year marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 75th anniversary of the Chinese national anthem.
The standard sheet music for the national anthem includes orchestral, wind ensemble and piano accompaniment scores. The official recording versions of the national anthem include orchestral version, orchestral choral version, wind ensemble version and wind ensemble choral version, according to the State Council Information Office at a press conference on September 1.
The released standard musical score for the national anthem has not made any changes to the melody, but focused on four areas of improvement, including standardized cover, title page and publishing notation, unified tempo markings, as well as standardized expression terms.
The national anthem "March of the Volunteers" has lyrics by poet Tian Han (1898–1968) and music by Nie Er (1912–1935). The original song greatly encouraged Chinese soldiers and civilians during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931–1945). It was chosen as the national anthem in 1949.
Wu Zeng, an official from the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, stated at the press conference that the release of the standard sheet music and official recording of the national anthem will enhance the seriousness and standardization of its performance, broadcasting and usage, uphold the image and dignity of the country, strengthen national consciousness and patriotism, and further promote the national spirit centered on patriotism.
China's National Anthem Law came into force in 2017 to ensure appropriate performance of the song, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Now, the National Anthem Law, National Flag Law and National Emblem Law together constitute a relatively complete legal system of national symbols in China, Wu said.
The anthem shall be sung at formal political gatherings, including the opening and closing of National People's Congress sessions, constitutional oath ceremonies, flag-raising ceremonies, major celebrations, awards ceremonies, commemorations, national memorial events, important diplomatic occasions, major sport events and other suitable occasions, according to the National Anthem Law.
China reports decline in workplace accidents in Jan.–Aug.
Photo taken on June 26, 2024 shows firefighters at a drill simulating a natural gas leak in Donghai County, east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo by Chai Junwei/China News Service]
China has seen a decline in workplace accidents, thanks to intensified efforts to ensure workplace safety, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).
During the first eight months of this year, the total number of workplace accidents across the country dropped by 25.7% over the same period of last year, and the number of serious and major accidents fell by 45.5%, Wang Daoxi, vice minister of the MEM, told a press conference on September 4, 2024.
Special campaigns targeting gas safety, electric bicycle safety, and the removal of obstructions from fire emergency access routes had been carried out, Wang said, adding that 6.48 million new charging ports have been installed in residential communities and open public spaces nationwide.
Efforts will be made to improve risk assessment and rectification mechanisms and support enterprises in establishing and enhancing regular mechanisms for self-inspection and hazard mitigation, Wang said.
China will also further improve the oversight system at the local government level to prevent major accident risks, he added.