In recent decades, China has mounted military parades and displays of the country’s economic might only at the turn of decades, such as for the 60th and 70th anniversaries.

No festivities have been announced for the occasion Tuesday, save for a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, with an honor guard marching from the entrance of the sprawling palace that in past centuries was the home of Chinese emperors

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (September 30) said Taiwan is a 'sacred territory' of China, and that 'separatist activities' for Taiwan independence must be 'resolutely opposed'.

Staying in power that long will depend on how they manage in an era of slower growth and intensifying competition with the United States, one that has raised the spectre of a new Cold War.