China's capital Beijing is ready for an array of celebrations including a parade and an evening party marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on October 1.

"We achieved our goals after four rounds of rehearsals and are basically ready for the celebrations", said Beijing Vice Mayor Ji Lin on Thursday at a news briefing on the celebrations.

"The four rounds of rehearsals helped the organizers to solve problems in the gala events", Ji said.

Four rounds of rehearsals were staged at Tian'anmen from August 29 to September 18.

Ji said the mass pageant is made up of 36 formations and six performing groups involving about 100,000 citizens. They will be complemented by 60 simulated floats, and a background performance involving 80,000 primary and middle school students.

The highlights of the evening party will include fireworks display which will last for 33 minutes.

The city will also host various cultural activities including singing and dancing and speech contests and drama shows, which will be held in about 1,000 parks on October 2 and 3, Ji said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2009)