On September 3, China’s capital of Beijing will hold a large-scale military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japan and the 70th anniversary of World War II ending.
Presidents, prime ministers and high-ranking officials of almost 50 countries will gather in Beijing to take part in the events.
Over 3,700 journalists, including over 1,500 foreigners, have submitted accreditation requests for the celebration, according to a special press center.
TROOPS TO MARCH
The organizers of the parade revealed some of the classified details following the final rehearsal that was held last week.
According to official sources, about 12,000 servicemen will take part in the parade, including 11 infantry phalanxes, a mechanized convoy of 27 formations and ten echelons of aviation. Two more formations comprising Chinese Communist Party and Kuomintang veterans with average age of 90 years, will participate in the parade.
A female guard-of-honor unit will join the parade for the first time. The young women will march in three 17-strong platoons, representing the Army, the Navy and the Air Force of the People’s Republic of China.
About a thousand foreign servicemen will take part in the parade for the first time.
Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Pakistan, Serbia, Tajikistan and Russia have sent parade formations to Beijing. Each formation consists of 75 soldiers.
Afghanistan, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Vanuatu and Venezuela have sent seven soldiers each. As many as 31 more countries, including Iran, France, Poland, Vietnam, and the South Korea, have said they were ready to send high-ranking military observers.
Russia will be represented by members of the 154th Preobrazhensky Independent Commandant’s Regiment that will end the parade’s foot section.
A combined chorus of the People’s Liberation Army of China with over 2,400 students of military universities will perform about 30 musical compositions for the first time during the parade.
Each soldier has reportedly received a custom-made uniform featuring improved fabrics, as well as lighter, sturdier boots.
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
According to official data, China will display about 500 units of military equipment of 40 types, as well as 200 planes of 20 types, including bombers, fighters, carrier-based aircraft, coastal patrol planes, tanker aircraft and helicopters.
The Chinese authorities said that 84 percent of equipment would be shown for the first time.
According to media reports, seven types of missiles and a new bomber designed for high-precision and long-range strikes will be displayed at the Tiananmen Square.
The entire parade will last for about 70 minutes.
SYMBOLS
The official logo of events marking the 70th victory anniversary includes a large red figure “70” with five doves on top and a V-shaped section of the Great Wall of China symbolizing victory.
The doves symbolize the people of five continents heading toward a brighter future, as well as the people of China moving toward a great revival under the guidance of the Communist Party of China.