Beijing, Oct 1 (IANS): Top Chinese leaders laid flowers at the Monument to the People's Heroes in the heart of Beijing Monday to mark National Day.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao along with Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang participated in the ceremony held at the Tian'anmen Square, and paid their respect to those who sacrificed for the nation's independence and liberation.

The leaders then walked around the monument, viewing the relief sculptures and inscriptions that display the history of China's struggles for modernity in nearly two centuries, reported Xinhua.

They joined 3,600 representatives from all walks of life in Beijing in the ceremony to mark the 63rd anniversary of founding of the People's Republic of China.

This year will see an important meeting of the Communist Party of China since its 18th national congress is proposed to convene Nov 8 here.