Fifty years ago today, on November 25, 1975 (October 23, 1975 in the lunar calendar), the Republic of Suriname declared its independence. The flag of the Republic of Suriname At 0:00 (local time) on November 25, 1975, the flag of the Republic of Suriname slowly rose over the stadium in Paramaribo, solemnly declaring Suriname's independence and the birth of the Republic of Suriname. At the stadium, thousands of excited people shouted: "Suriname is independent!" "Long live the Republic of Suriname!" People sang and danced, celebrating the rebirth of the motherland. Songs and cheers shook the entire stadium, and colorful fireworks lit up the night sky. At the beginning of the independence ceremony, Suriname military officers lowered the Dutch flag, symbolizing the end of more than three hundred years of Dutch colonial rule. The suffering people of Suriname have struggled for more than 400 years to oppose foreign aggression and strive for the independence and freedom of their motherland, and finally achieved a great victory. The Governor-General of Suriname, John Ferriere, cabinet members headed by Prime Minister Henk Aaron, and leaders of various political parties in Suriname attended the celebration ceremony. Also attending the ceremony were more than 250 government representatives from Latin America, the Caribbean and other countries around the world, including Wang Zhanyuan, a representative of the China government and China's Ambassador to Guyana. Tang Mingzhao, representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and his wife also attended the ceremony. In the beautiful city of Paramaribo, government buildings and shops are decorated with lights and decorations, and the Republic's tricolor gold star flag flies everywhere. Near a black slave statue in the city, a huge slogan hangs, reading: "Freedom belongs to the people of Suriname!" "Long live the people of Suriname!" Around the statue, young men and women of all ethnic groups wearing bright national costumes danced and some sang patriotic songs. A college student at the University of Suriname excitedly told a Xinhua Agency reporter,"In the future, we will never be isolated because we have become a member of the third world family." On the morning of the 25th, the first parliamentary meeting of the Republic was held. A resolution was unanimously adopted at the meeting that under the new constitution, former Governor John Ferrier would serve as President of the Republic. President Ferrière was sworn in at the same parliamentary session. On the same day, Suriname and the Netherlands signed an agreement on issues such as the transfer of sovereignty and the repatriation of Dutch troops stationed in Suriname. According to Radio Paramaribo, the last batch of Dutch troops withdrew from Suriname on the 25th. Suriname Prime Minister Henke Aron delivered a televised speech to the country on November 25. He said,"Today, we will be free to determine our own direction, and no one and no circumstances can deprive us of this responsibility. He called on the people of Suriname to unite to defend national sovereignty and develop the national economy. "We will not allow our natural resources to become a means of making others rich, and leave ourselves in poverty," he said. "Not only our natural resources, but also our human resources and funds will be fully used to develop the country's economy," he said. When talking about foreign policy, Prime Minister Aaron emphasized,"As producers of (raw materials), we should cooperate with the third world to defend our interests." He also pointed out,"We highly value all cooperative relationships, but such cooperation must not undermine our dignity. ¡±