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"We assembled at 5 am and got to Nanchizi Street, a 15-minute walk from Tian'anmen Square, at 6 am, where we waited until noon to walk to Chang'an Avenue," Ji recalls of his first parade.
Many of the balloons meant for release as they walked past Tian'anmen Square had drifted away during the wait, he says.
Ji and his classmates returned to school after midnight, in high spirits.
"There was no bus. Cars and even bicycles were still luxuries for ordinary families. Many students living far from school slept in the classroom that night. We were all very excited," he says.
Li Chunling, from CASS, attributed such passion to common values and an interest in politics.
"But this only-child generation, including Ji's daughter, has more diverse values, owing to the more open and informed environment. They also face fiercer competition in terms of school exams and jobs, making them more pragmatic," Li says.
Dong Zhenggang, a post-graduate student at Tsinghua University, who is suntanned from the drills, says students' views should be taken into consideration when National Day celebrations are planned, to encourage more enthusiasm and to make the celebrations more lively.
"There are many more ways to show our love for this country," Dong says.
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