China concluded the first round of rehearsal for the massive National Day celebration in Tian'anmen Square early Sunday morning, one month ahead of the actual show on October 1, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Starting early Saturday morning, the rehearsal featured a mass pageant involving nearly 200,000 citizens and 60 simulated floats, a gala by around 12,000 performers and a military review.

The rehearsal was held at night to avoid affecting the public, said a spokesperson for the 60th National Day celebration preparation committee of the Beijing municipal government.

Witnesses of the rehearsal included central media organizations that were to cover the actual celebration in October.

The rehearsal also attracted a large audience of citizens.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2009)