Special parade designs to feature Chinese people's sacrifices in World Anti-Fascist War: official

A series of special designs of China's upcoming grand military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War will feature China's great sacrifices and contributions to the world's triumph over fascism, said an official on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Wu Zeke, deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade, elaborated on the designs of the parade, which will take place at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on September 3.

"As the main eastern front of the World Anti-Fascist War, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression started the earliest and lasted the longest. In this military parade, we specially incorporated specific numbers such as '14' and '80' into the design to create a strong commemorative atmosphere. At the same time, the Chinese people will never forget the precious assistance and support from various anti-fascist forces such as peace-loving and justice-loving countries, peoples, and international organizations. In this military parade, we invite international friends who have contributed to the victory of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression or their surviving family representatives to watch the ceremony on site, in order to show international friendly cooperation and commemorate the victory of the war," Wu said.

While number "80" stands for the 80th anniversary, the number "14" represents the Chinese people's 14 years of resistance against Japanese aggression beginning with the September 18 Incident.

Hu Heping, executive vice minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said at the press conference that the commemoration event will also include a series of colorful activities aimed for the general public.

"First, on the anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Martyrs' Day, the National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, and the dates commemorating the July 7 Lugouqiao (Marco Polo Bridge) Incident and September 18 Incident, we will organize memorial activities for the masses such as laying wreaths, visiting memorial facilities, sweeping tombs of martyrs, and public memorial services. Second, we will make the most of the educational functions of memorial facilities, sites and relics related to the War of Resistance, and patriotism education bases and national defense education bases, organize tours, and carry out activities such as themed days for members of CPC and the Communist Youth League of China. Third, we will organize activities such as singing patriotic songs, reciting poems about the War of Resistance, reading letters from soldiers' families during the War of Resistance, and theme exhibitions of literary works on the War of Resistance," Hu said.

Hu also said that in addition to these above-mentioned activities, online activities will also be organized, such as online exhibitions, special themed web pages, soliciting theme essays, and knowledge quizzes, so that more people can participate in the commemorative activities through the Internet.

Special parade designs to feature Chinese people's sacrifices in World Anti-Fascist War: official

The Iranian government on Wednesday released footage it says was of missile debris from the deadly school attack in Minab, Iran's southern province of Hormozgan, on Feb 28, providing fresh evidence that the United States military was behind the attack.

The video obtained by China Media Group (CMG) from the Iranian government shows that some of the fragments said to be from the missile are marked with detailed information, including the place of origin, manufacturer and serial number of the parts. Markings such as "Made in USA" and "Raytheon Company" can be clearly seen on the debris.

The United States has repeatedly denied carrying out the attack on the elementary school in Minab, where Iranian state media says at least 165 people were killed, most of them young girls.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei reiterated in an exclusive interview with CMG on Tuesday that the school was hit by missiles twice on Feb 28, with the second attack coming as rescuers gathered at the site, resulting in a large number of casualties.

Baghaei said the United States and Israel must be held responsible for such criminal acts.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that an ongoing military investigation has preliminarily determined that the deadly school attack was the result of a targeting error.

Officials briefed on the investigation told the newspaper that officers at the U.S. Central Command generated the strike coordinates using outdated intelligence provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency, leading to the targeting mistake.

The findings are preliminary, and key questions remain unresolved, including why the outdated information was not double-checked, officials quoted by the newspaper said.

Iran says new evidence proves U.S. behind deadly school attack