The national flag is raised during a grand ceremony held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, July 1, 2021, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A grand gathering celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China was held at Tian'anmen Square at the heart of Beijing on Thursday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived at Tian'anmen Rostrum.

Premier Li Keqiang announced the start of the ceremony.

A grand ceremony is held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, July 1, 2021, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Military aircraft flew over Tian'anmen Square in echelons. Helicopters flew in the formation of "100," representing the 100 years of the Party. A 100-gun salute was fired. A national flag-raising ceremony was held.

A congratulatory message jointly issued by eight other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation was read out at the ceremony.

Representatives of the Chinese Communist Youth League members and Young Pioneers on Thursday morning saluted the Communist Party of China and expressed commitment to the Party's cause.

Military aircraft fly in the formation of "100" over Tian'anmen Square ahead of a grand gathering celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2021. (ZHANG CHEN / XINHUA)

Parade guards march during a flag-raising ceremony at a grand gathering celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2021. (MA NING / XINHUA)

Helicopters carrying the Party flag fly over the Temple of Heaven in celebration of the centenary of the CPC in Beijing on July 1, 2021. (SU DONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Military aircraft fly over Tian'anmen Square in echelon ahead of a grand gathering celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, July 1, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A 100-gun salute is fired in celebration of the 100th annniversary of the Communist Party of China at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, July 1, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

People wave national flags and flags of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during a grand ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, July 1, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A group of girls holding national flags and flags of the Communist Party of China (CPC) pose for a photo during a grand ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, July 1, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)