Shanghai joined in the 50th birthday bash of the People's Republic of China yesterday in a style of its own, befitting the nation's commercial capital.
While offices were closed for the anniversary of communist rule, shopkeepers kept their doors open, many of them waiting on customers as they kept an eye on the televised parade in Beijing.
"I feel very patriotic," said the 32-year-old owner of a tea shop on a Shanghai back street.
"But we're entrepreneurs here. We have to make money."
Flags fluttered from buses and taxis while banners and signs adorned office buildings, bearing the message: "Celebrate the National Day."
Some five million potted flowers were set in place around the spruced-up city and huge balloons tugged at their anchors along the glistening new financial district of Lujiazui.
Streets boasted newly painted traffic lines and some were closed to traffic, becoming pedestrian malls.
Fireworks were planned for the evening.
"This is the most exciting day of the year," said a taxi driver as he cruised around the eastern city.
Asked if he was sorry he had to work, he said: "We can watch the fireworks tonight."
A young woman, sporting a smart blue cap and collecting tolls from passing drivers, said: "I'd like to be home watching the celebration on television, but work comes first."
The celebrations gave people a brief chance to forget about the economic challenges ahead as China tries to shed years of central planning and become a market-based economy.
This has meant job losses at many state factories that now have to think about profits as well as keeping people employed.
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