(Fighting against New Crown Pneumonia) France commemorates the 75th anniversary of the victory of World War II in a low-key way to prevent and control the epidemic
China News Agency, Paris, May 8 (Reporter Li Yang) On May 8, local time, France is still under "closed city" and other control measures. In order to prevent and control the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the official commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the victory of World War II was carried out in a low-key manner.
The official commemorative ceremony of the day was brief and not open to the public. Although it is the 75th anniversary of the victory of World War II, because the various control measures are still in effect, the French official has tried to reduce the scale of the ceremony. The routine procedures in previous years, such as the president ’s review of the military and the flowers offered by people from all walks of life, have been cancelled.
French President Macron presented a wreath to the statue of General Charles de Gaulle on the Champs-Elysées Square and then went to the Arc de Triomphe to attend the memorial ceremony. French politicians participating in the commemorative ceremony are very limited: Senate Speaker Larscher, National Assembly Speaker Ferrand, former Presidents Hollande and Sarkozy, Prime Minister Philippe, Defense Minister Pali, and Paris Mayor Hidalgo.
Macron presented flowers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe and set aside a long flame. Four members of the French army choir sang the French national anthem "Marseille". Macron then briefly talked with the politicians and French generals present, and the ceremony ended.
The reporter saw at the Arc de Triomphe and other places that the police were extremely alert. After the commemorative ceremony, there were still a large number of police patrols, checking the travel certificates of pedestrians and vehicles; near Cremonso Square, there were more than a dozen police cars on standby.
Every year on May 8th is a public holiday in France. In the past years, a large number of people and tourists will emerge on the streets. In places such as Cremonso Square, although the symbolic iron fence was placed on the day to control the flow of people, the scene was almost empty.
The huge French flag hung above the arch of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower that day still makes people feel the atmosphere of commemorating the victory of World War II. A number of car drivers and bike and motorcycle riders took photos of the huge French flag while waiting for the red light at the intersection.
The reporter noticed that the French Ministry of National Defense had announced the plan for the 75th anniversary of the victory of World War II in April. In order to comply with the epidemic prevention measures, in addition to the French official ceremony not opening to the outside world, the commemorative activities organized by the French local government were also required to be held behind closed doors.
France will gradually "unblock" next week, and the public transport system is ready to welcome passenger flow. On the 8th, the reporter noticed in the Paris subway cars, subway stations and other places that the staff posted a lot of signs reminding the social distance. Although it is a holiday, there are almost no passengers on the bus system that day. In addition, in order to remind the public to pay attention to protection after "unblocking", the golden sculpture outside the Charlotte Palace, a famous scenic spot in Paris, was also put on a mask.
The number of deaths from French new coronary pneumonia rose to 26230 on the 8th, and 243 deaths were added in a single day. 6414 people died in the Paris region, where the French epidemic was the worst. (Finish)