1949, founding ceremony used a 28-gun salute to symbolize that after 28 years of struggle, the people of China finally became masters of their own house. 1999, used a 50-gun salute to symbolize the 50th anniversary of the founding of New China. In the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 2009, 60 salutes were fired, while in the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China this year, 56 salutes were fired, implying 56 ethnic groups in China.