Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) Fireworks lit up Taipei's sky as Taiwan concluded the celebration of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (ROC) on an eventful Sunday that also saw one of the largest parades in years.
Organizers fired more than 51,000 rounds of fireworks into the sky Sunday night, wowing thousands of spectators who crowded the banks of the capital city's Tamsui River.
The main evening celebration of the country's birthday took place on the outlying island of Penghu and featured a full line of pop artists, aboriginal singers, and bands and a 30-minute fireworks display.
Also Sunday night, more than 4,000 guests, including foreign dignitaries and local government officials, attended a party being held at the Taipei Guest House, which was built in the Japanese colonial era and was used to receive foreign guests.
President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yih received foreign visitors and highlighted the only foreign head of state attending the anniversary, President Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes of Sao Tome and Principe, at the evening party, which featured traditional Taiwanese cuisine and cultural performances.
A grand parade, organized by Council for Cultural Affairs and the Centenary Foundation, was held in Taipei in the afternoon and was described as the biggest celebration parade in years.
It featured 35 decorative floats sponsored by the government and private companies, 20 performance troupes, honor guards and high school bands, and larger-than-life inflatables.
The parade started from National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at 2 p.m. and proceeded 4.8 kilometers along Renai Road before reaching its final point, the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, at 6 p.m.
In his National Day speech Sunday morning, Ma pledged comprehensive reform focusing on bringing about social justice and fighting poverty.
Sunday's festivities were Taiwan's first birthday celebration in two years. The country suspended the celebration in 2009 after a deadly typhoon wrecked havoc in southern Taiwan in August 2009, leaving more than 700 people dead.
Taiwan's government is planning a mega celebration next year for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ROC, which was established in 1911. (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls