China's grand V-Day military parade, scheduled for Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square of downtown Beijing, will highlight the nation's great spirit showed in its fight against Japanese fascism with historical elements.
The military parade marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The 70-minute parade will proceed in two steps: a military review by President Xi Jinping and a march-past of troops in Tian'anmen Square.
Troops participating in the parade will be lining up in formations along Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, and they will be reviewed by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
A total of 45 formations and echelons will join the grand parade. During the parade and march-past, airborne flag-guarding echelons, foot formations, battle flag formations, armament columns and aerial echelons will pass through or fly across Tian'anmen Square in order.
Most of the troops participating in the parade are from units with a long history that can be traced back to the War of Resistance, which shows that the event carries profound significance in honoring history, paying tribute to martyrs, and promoting patriotism and the great spirit of the War of Resistance.
Chinese troops with UN peacekeeping experiences will also participate in the Sept. 3 parade. This arrangement not only highlights China's solemn commemoration of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, but also demonstrates the country's commitment to fulfilling international obligations and safeguarding world peace, said participants.
"As a representative of Chinese troops with UN peacekeeping experiences, our formation will not only display the image of Chinese peacekeeping troops, but also declare to the world that China's military has strong combat effectiveness, and that China has the determination, ability and strong sense of responsibility as a major country in safeguarding world peace," said Lan Yu, a member of the formation of troops with peacekeeping experiences.
Members of the militia formation are from 15 provincial-level regions which cover main bases of the CPC during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
This will be the first time China's militia forces take part in a major military parade commemorating the victory of the war.
"I hope that through this military parade, our formation could show the vibrancy of China's militia forces in the new era. And I will leverage my strength to contribute my youthful energy to national defense," said Zheng Haotian, a member of the militia formation who had served in the army in Hebei Province.
Representing the heroic Liulaozhuang Company whose soldiers lost their lives in a battle against Japanese forces in 1943, Deputy Commander Wang Chenyi will carry the company's flag in one of the battle flag formations during the parade.
"The red flag is a concrete manifestation of Liulaozhuang Company's spirit. During our training, we constantly had a keen sense of the Company's spirit, namely 'fighting until the end of life.' Understanding the spiritual core helped me find the source of my fighting spirit," said Wang.
"The current flourishing age and peace were earned through blood and sacrifice of the older generation of soldiers. As young officers and soldiers in the new era, we must carry forward their fine traditions and forge ahead bravely amid difficulties," said Liu Zhengxun, member of a battle flag formation.
A joint military band of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will play both classic works and newly composed music pieces during the parade.
"The joint military band formation will have 14 rows to symbolize the 14 years of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. There will be 80 trumpeters in the front row, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Based on arrangements of the formations attending this military parade, we specially composed several new pieces to reflect the new look of the people's troops striding forward in the new era," said Huang Yanhui, a member of the joint military band.
China to highlight nation's spirit, historical elements at V-Day parade
China to highlight nation's spirit, historical elements at V-Day parade
