国内英语新闻:Authorities urge proper commemorations on Martyrs' Day

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have urged solemn but frugal commemorations in honor of the country's martyrs at the upcoming national Martyrs' Day next week.

Local Communist Party of China (CPC) committees and governments, as well as Chinese embassies overseas where Chinese martyrs' memorial sites are located, should carefully organize commemorative activities on the day, said a circular jointly published on Saturday by the general offices of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

The central government will also hold public commemorations, according to the circular.

However, it also stressed that such activities should strictly abide by the CPC's frugality code and avoid extravagance.

In addition to presenting bouquets to martyrs' cemeteries, the circular also called on governments to carry out activities online to encourage more youths to take part in the mourning and remember the spirit of the martyrs.

Moreover, it urged better support of the families of the martyrs and strengthened protection of relevant memorial sites.

China's top legislature last month approved the establishment of a national day to commemorate martyrs.

It said Martyrs' Day will be marked with events across the country on Sept. 30 every year to "publicize martyrs' achievements and spirits, and cultivate patriotism, collectivism, and socialist moralities so as to consolidate the Chinese nation's cohesiveness."

It is believed that China has about 20 million martyrs. However, as many of them did not leave their names in warring days, only 1.93 million martyrs have been enlisted in the government's directory. About 300 more people have been identified as martyrs annually in recent years.