A national flag-raising ceremony is held in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province to mark China’s 68th National Day, Oct. 1, 2017. (Photo: Xinhua/ VNA)

In the square of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, 3,000 people of various ethnic groups observed a second flag-raising ceremony. On this occasion, the Great Wall in northern China was opened to tourists earlier than usual. Cities and provinces across China held cultural activities to mark the event. In a speech at the Great Hall of the People ahead of National Day, Premier Li Keqiang said China will further open its doors to create and share development opportunities with other nations.