China celebrates May Fourth Movement

BEIJING, May 4 (UPI) -- China's top leaders and about 3,000 delegates from across the country met in Beijing Monday to commemorate the 90th anniversary of China's May Fourth Movement.

The May Fourth Movement celebrates China's fight against imperialism and promotion of democracy and science, the state-run Xinhua news service said.

The movement started with student protests May 4, 1919, against the government's response to the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed what many considered to be unfair treaties on China.

"We have seen many young people devoted themselves to the revival of great China since the 'May Fourth Movement,'" said Deng Xiquan of the China Juvenile Research Center. "The movement's legacy is deeply rooted and powerful. China needs it now to unite people to work for a better country."

Speaking to the gathering, Communist Party leader Li Changchun called on China's young people to promote the spirit of the May Fourth Movement and embrace patriotism.