On the morning of September 23, the colossal “Blessing the Motherland” flower basket was successfully hoisted into place on the Tiananmen Square after several days and nights of hard work.

2024 marks the 17th consecutive year that Beijing Shougang Construction Group’s steel structure branch has undertaken the fabrication and installation of the national day grand flower basket on the Tiananmen Square. For over a decade, Beijing Shougang Construction Group has embodied the Shougang people’s spirit of political responsibility, technical capability, and emotional dedication in having completed the task flawlessly for 17 consecutive years. To this end, Beijing Shougang Construction Group insists on a construction philosophy for perfection and zero errors and overcoming challenges, further solidifying the Shougang brand’s reputation.

The giant flower basket’s steel structure weighs a total of 245 tonnes, assembled on the site with prefabricated modules. The most challenging aspect of the project involved the precise alignment and perfect joining of the basket’s top and base via hoisting. The hoisting of flower-filled basket top that weighs approximately 60 tons requires the synchronized operation of two cranes.

With a base diameter of 45 meters, the basket’s base features a ruyi-shaped floral design, symbolizing auspiciousness and national peace and prosperity. The basket body is constructed from fiberglass, able to withstand winds of level-10. The overall height is 18 meters, with a diameter of the basket top measuring 12 meters. It is comprised of a sloped flower bed, a fiberglass basket body, a fiberglass basket top, and the central core.

This year’s flower basket features a fruit-and-vegetable theme, incorporating auspicious symbols such as gourds, pomegranates, peaches, pumpkins, and chilies. These are complemented by plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, along with peonies symbolizing prosperity, all set against lush leaves. The design conveys a sense of abundance and prosperity, expressing heartfelt wishes for the nation’s enduring prosperity. Inscriptions meaning “Blessing the Motherland 1949-2024” and “Universal Celebration 1949-2024” are inscribed on the south and north sides of the basket, respectively.