Predicted rainfall in the area of the Tian' anmen Square, the site for the first-round grand National Day celebration rehearsal, has prompted Chinese authorities to postpone the date for the second round from early Sunday to early Monday.

The decision, made by the 60th National Day celebration preparation committee of the Beijing municipal government, was quoted in a notice posted on the Web Site of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Friday.

The time of traffic control will be adjusted based on the new schedule, according to the notice.

China concluded the first round of two-day rehearsal for the massive National Day celebration in the Tian' anmen Square on Aug. 30, one month ahead of the actual show on October 1, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

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. 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 September 5, 2009)