A grand celebration will be held on Oct. 1 to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, but the preparation work will be thrifty and pragmatic, an official said Saturday.

Major celebration activities in Beijing will include an official national reception, a gala to be hosted by a television station, park excursions for Chinese individuals and patriotic education for Chinese youth.

"The preparation work is going smoothly," said Wang Gang, an official with the preparatory committee for the 55th anniversary. "We have made the concrete plans for the celebration and the first phase of the preparation has started."

"The central government especially asked us to be thrifty and pragmatic with our work this year," he said.

Celebrations by local governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals to mark the country's 55th birthday are also in full swing across the country.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2004)