BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders attended Wednesday a ceremony at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing to honor and remember the deceased national heroes on Martyrs' Day.

Veterans, some family members of martyrs and representatives of all walks of life also gathered at the square to mark the country's second Martyrs' Day on the eve of the National Day.

Martyrs, as defined by the government, are "people who sacrificed their lives for national independence and prosperity, as well as the welfare of the people in modern times, or after First Opium War (1840-1842)."

It is estimated that China has about 20 million martyrs.

China's top legislature approved Sept 30 as the Martyrs' Day last year, to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for national independence and prosperity.