By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - China is gearing up in full strength for upcoming massive military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, in hope of showing off its power and military ambitions. So far, the event is likely to be a success.
Considering the Sept. 1 reports of state-run media outlets including Xinhua News Agency, it's natural to expect success of the event which will take place at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Thursday. Most of all, everything's all set. The sky is clear and there is no chance of an accident due to heightened security.
Female soldiers in Chinese People's Liberation Army take part in a training for the Sept. 3 parade/ Source from Xinhua News Agency |
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. as the Beijing party secretary Guo Jinlong declares the opening of the event. 56 cannons will fire 70 shots, referring to 56 ethnic groups celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War Two. Then there will be reception for Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign guests including Korean President Park Geun-hye and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Tiananmen Square.
The military parade, the highlight of the event, will proceed following Xi's speech on the event. A formation of military helicopters will fly over Beijing followed by J-10 fighters and 200 military planes.
In addition to the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China will be hosting ten foreign military parade formations, including Russia and Mongolia. The parade will then feature hundreds of mobile launchers carrying advanced missiles, tank forces, and armored vehicles. There will be ten formations of veterans of the war against Japan, comprised of the Eighth Route Army, New Fourth Army, Northeast Anti-Japanese united forces and South China guerrilla column.
The event will last about 70 minutes, and will be aired live through CCTV. It will be aired online as well. Since it will be the 15th military parade since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the event is very significant for China. Most of all, the parade sends a message to the world that China has completely overcome Japan and won the victory.
Besides, the parade shows that Xi Jinping's status is solid. Absence of China's former presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao adds to the fact that Xi's leadership is firm.
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