The Mid-Autumn Festival meets National Day—celebrating a glorious and wonderful moment in our prosperous era.

As the fragrant aroma of golden osmanthus quietly drifts through the streets and lanes, and as lanterns on the streets shimmer in harmony with the national flag, we welcome a special moment—when Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day beautifully coincide. This is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, a dual symphony of patriotic sentiment, and above all, a cherished occasion for hundreds of millions of Chinese children to share in the joy of family reunion and national pride amid China’s flourishing era.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a cultural gene etched deep into the bones and blood of the Chinese people. From the "Autumn Equinox Moon Worship" recorded in the *Book of Rites* to its establishment as a fixed holiday during the Tang Dynasty, and then to the historical debut of "mooncakes" in the Song Dynasty—this full moon has carried with it countless emotional aspirations over the centuries. Ancient poets and scholars used phrases like "raising my cup to invite the bright moon" to ease their loneliness, while others expressed their longing for loved ones with the heartfelt wish "May we all be blessed with longevity." Through their works, they transformed the reverence for nature inherent in agrarian civilization and the universal yearning for family reunion into timeless imagery that continues to resonate in poetry and literature. Today, as we gather around a round table to savor mooncakes, the crisp crust and luscious filling not only delight our taste buds but also embody the enduring legacy of "a full moon symbolizing family togetherness." Children joyfully chase after rabbit-shaped lanterns, while elders point to the moon and share the legendary tale of Chang'e flying to the moon. These cherished scenes feel like a seamless replication of our cultural DNA, ensuring that this age-old tradition remains vibrantly alive—even in the modern era.

National Day is modern China’s most rousing march. In 1949, the proclamation from atop Tiananmen Gate marked the moment when the Chinese nation finally stood tall and proud. From starting off as a nation impoverished and underdeveloped to becoming the world’s second-largest economy; from achieving breakthroughs like "Two Bombs, One Satellite" to sending the "Tiangong" spacecraft soaring through space; from high-speed railways speeding across the land to leading the global race in 5G technology—every milestone bears the indelible imprint of those who dared to dream and strive. As fighter jets streak across the sky during the National Day military parade, as heroes are honored at the epidemic-fighting commendation ceremony, and as the final bugle call echoes on the battlefield of poverty alleviation—what we witness isn’t just the nation’s growing strength, but also the dreams of ordinary people, nurtured and realized through their own hard work and dedication. This spirit of relentless perseverance resonates beautifully with the Mid-Autumn Festival tradition of "both the moon and people complete"—where national prosperity represents the ultimate "full circle," and individual happiness embodies the most radiant "moon."

When the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day coincide, the boundaries between family and country become blurred yet feel profoundly warm. Along the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou, tourists hold up the national flag for photos with the bright moon; at Shenzhen’s Science and Technology Park, programmers momentarily set aside their code to watch the same full moon together with loved ones back home via video call; and on China’s northwestern frontier, border guards use their phones to capture the moonlit snow mountains, sending the images to their parents thousands of miles away. This intertwining of time and space seamlessly connects the joyous reunion of "small families" with the thriving prosperity of the "greater nation." It’s just like the mooncake itself—its sweet, smooth red bean paste filling embodies the warmth of family bonds, while its savory salted egg yolk center symbolizes the strong foundation of our nation. Neither can be missing.

Celebrating both festivals together is truly a cultural feast. Museums across the country have launched "Mid-Autumn Festival Special Exhibitions," blending the lunar motifs adorning bronze artifacts with cutting-edge digital technology to bring these ancient treasures to life. Meanwhile, communities have organized "National Day and Mid-Autumn Poetry Gatherings," where children recite "Shui Diao Ge Tou" in their innocent voices, while elders spontaneously craft playful rhyming verses celebrating the new era. On online platforms, short videos like the "Mid-Autumn Hand Gesture Dance" and the "National Day Costume Show" are going viral, sparking a vibrant fusion of tradition and trend right at our fingertips. These innovative expressions aren’t a departure from tradition—they’re about giving cultural heritage a more dynamic, contemporary vessel for connection. Just as mooncakes have evolved from mere treats into creative cultural products, their essence has always remained rooted in the universal yearning for a better, more joyful life.

At this special moment, we can better appreciate the profound meaning behind the phrase "Wherever my heart finds peace, that becomes my home." For those living abroad, the Mid-Autumn moonlight serves as a guiding beacon from their homeland, while the National Day fireworks symbolize the heartfelt call of their motherland. For urban workers toiling in the city, the brief holiday offers a comforting haven to reconnect with family—and also provides a much-needed stopover to recharge and gather strength. And for villagers left behind in their rural communities, the festive gifts represent society's caring attention, while the vision of rural revitalization embodies the promise of a brighter future. Whether it’s the loneliness of "being alone in a foreign land," or the warmth of "family gathered together under cozy lights," both experiences are enriched with deeper significance during this dual celebration—reminding us that an individual’s happiness is always intertwined with, and resonates in harmony with, the destiny of our nation.

Standing at the historic intersection of the "Two Centenaries," the convergence of Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day takes on even deeper symbolic meaning. It reminds us to cherish our traditional culture as carefully as we guard the bright moon, while also embracing innovation with the same courage we wield in building our nation. At the same time, it urges us to savor the joy of family reunions and cherished moments together, yet to carry forward the profound responsibility of caring for "the greater good of the country." As we gaze up at that millennia-old moon under the night sky, we see not only nature's timeless gift, but also the resolute steps of a nation steadily marching toward rejuvenation.

"Moonlight rises over the sea, uniting us across vast distances at this very moment." As we celebrate the beautiful convergence of Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, let’s draw a larger concentric circle—with home at its center and the nation as its radius. Within this circle, there’s the sweet aroma of mooncakes, the vibrant hues of our national flag, the timeless elegance of poetic verses, and most importantly, the inspiring new chapter of our era, penned collectively by 1.4 billion people. This, indeed, is the glorious, heartwarming prosperity that belongs to us all.