China prepares for grand military parade

The State Council Information Office held a press conference this morning to update the public on preparations for the upcoming grand gathering, set to mark the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The event, scheduled for Sept. 3, will feature a formal military review followed by a procession, with approximately 70 minutes dedicated to showcasing China’s growing military capabilities.

Military officers announce preparations for the V-Day parade on Sept. 3 during a press conference held by China's State Council Information Office in Beijing yesterday. Xinhua

During the parade, troops will line Chang’an Avenue to be reviewed by President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Wu Zeke, a senior officer with the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, provided details during the press conference.

The procession will unfold in five phases, beginning with an aerial flag-guarding formation, followed by foot columns, battle flag formations, equipment columns, and concluding with an aerial fleet.

The aerial flag-guarding unit will consist of multiple helicopter formations, symbolizing the country's prosperity and the growing strength of its military.

The foot columns will showcase both "old" and "new" elements. The "old" refers to veteran units from the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, while the "new" highlights the modern restructuring of China’s military forces.

The equipment columns will feature a wide array of modern military machinery, including specialized units for land, sea, air defense, information warfare, unmanned operations, logistical support, and strategic strikes. Several of the weapons displayed will be new additions to China’s military arsenal, underscoring the evolving nature of modern warfare.

The air column will include advanced aircraft in formations that feature early warning and command planes, fighter jets, bombers, and transport aircraft. Some of these aircraft will be shown to the public for the first time, and a significant portion of the equipment on display will consist of domestically produced, cutting-edge weapons.

Two comprehensive rehearsals for the event have been held, the first on Aug. 10 and the second on Sunday. Approximately 40,000 people participated in the second rehearsal, which tested the logistics, organization, and coordination required for the parade.