Seats for V-day celebration find new homes across Beijing

Seats used in Tian'anmen Square for the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War are put into use at Shougang Park. (People's Daily/Shi Fang)

The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) just concluded at Shougang Park in Beijing. Outside the venue, rows of red seats could be seen lining the pathways between Halls 2 and 3, as well as around Hall 14.

These red seats may look familiar: they were once part of the temporary grandstands on Tian'anmen Square for the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Praised for their ergonomic comfort during extended events, the seats feature automatic rebound mechanisms and UV-resistant materials that preserve their vibrant colours. Their design - available in gold, red, and olive green - embodies elegant oriental aesthetics.

Following the 2015 commemoration, nearly 50,000 seats were sustainably repurposed across Beijing. "By strategically distributing the colour-coded seating to schools, parks, and sports venues, we've honoured the commemorative spirit while conserving resources," explained an event organiser.

"Shougang Park received 1,508 of the seats. Blending seamlessly with the park's unique style, where industrial heritage meets modern fashion, they embody the principle of frugality in hosting major events while adding new value to the park and will continue to serve the public in the future," said Liu Feifei, director of the urban renewal department at Beijing Shougang Construction Group.

The same red seats can also be found in a forest park in Beijing's Tongzhou district. Along shaded paths and small plazas, rows of new seating provide resting places for visitors.

In Fengtai district of the capital, four complete grandstands with their seats were relocated to cultural venues such as the Weigezhuang Ethnic Cultural Park. During an ethnic cultural carnival held there, the grandstands and more than a dozen rows of yellow seats from Tian'anmen Square provided seating for the audience.

Other seats also found new homes. Beijing Investment Group Co., Ltd. received more than 2,000 seats, which are now in use at sports and community activity venues to expand public cultural and fitness services.

The Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau received over 4,700 green seats, which will be placed in Taoranting Park, Zizhuyuan Park, Yuyuantan Park, and other locations, harmonizing with the natural landscapes.

The Beijing Municipal Education Commission took in 9,000 red seats, which will be distributed to universities, secondary schools, and primary schools, enhancing school auditoriums and daily teaching environments with a sense of solemnity.

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports received entire temporary grandstands and seats, to be applied as complete sets for training, gatherings, and sporting events. Tongzhou district accepted four entire grandstands, including seats, which will be installed in its canal area; while Pinggu district received two full grandstands, including seats, integrating them into the natural surroundings for public use.