Preparations for the upcoming V-Day parade in Beijing are reaching a crescendo as over 1,000 officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) joint military band put the finishing touches on their musical sets for the grand event.
The parade is set to take place in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
It will honor the heroic legacy of the 14-year War of Resistance Against Japan (1931-1945) and showcase the strength and unity of modern China.
The military band is poised to deliver a powerful and harmonious tribute through a meticulously arranged program and symbolically significant formations.
Their performance will blend classic compositions from the wartime period with contemporary pieces that reflect the modern military's spirit.
In a profound symbolic gesture, the band members will be arranged in 14 rows, representing the 14 years of China's resistance, with 80 ceremonial trumpeters positioned at the front to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory.
Precision and endurance are paramount for the band members, who are required to maintain perfect posture and play without interruption for the three-hour duration of the historic event.
"To stand firm for three hours and perform without a single error is our most fundamental requirement," said Zhou Lei, a clarinet player for the joint military band.
The band have been refining their repertoire through a relentless series of group rehearsals, while also perfecting their choreography and coordination to achieve seamless unity in both sound and visual presentation.
Huang Yanhui, head of the joint military band, said he is pleased with how preparations have gone and is now excited for the event.
"Based on our recent joint rehearsals, the audio-visual synchronization has been highly aligned, creating a truly spectacular effect that we're all looking forward to," said Huang.
China's PLA joint military band gears up for historic V-Day parade
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
