Nearly 1,000 university students from 29 universities and colleges
in Beijing gathered Saturday in the ruins of a former royal garden
destroyed by European allies at the beginning of the 20th century
to mark China 's first national defense education day.
Leaders from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and local
government explained the National Defense Education Law to the
group at the Yuanmingyuan ruins.
Students from three Beijing universities gave speeches on the
national defense.
China has designated every third Saturday in September as its
national defense education day.
( 09/16/2001)