Soldiers carry wreaths to a monument in Martyr's Park, Nantong, on Sept 30. [Photo/zgnt.net]

The city of Nantong, Jiangsu province, held a large gathering to honor deceased national heroes at its Martyr's Park, on Sept 30, for Martyr's Day, with a chorus of school children singing patriotic songs and the crowd bowing their heads in silent tribute.

There were also flower wreaths laid in front of a monument to the revolutionary heroes, and the city's Party chief, Ding Dawei, leading the assembly on a walk of tribute around the monument.

This is the second year to hold a Martyr's Day. China's top legislature reached an official agreement on setting the special day apart, on Sept 30, 2014, and Nantong says it intends to promote the martyr spirit and has called on local people to work together to build a better city through such activities.

The government defines the term 'martyr' as "a person who sacrifices his or her life for national independence and prosperity, and the welfare of the people after the First Opium War (1840-1842)", and it is estimated that Nantong has around 20,000 of these people.