People across China watched a grand military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on Wednesday morning, saying they felt great pride as Chinese people and were inspired to work for a more powerful motherland.
In east China's Jiangsu Province, 12 cinemas live-streamed the parade, attracting a large number of viewers to watch the grand event on the big screen.
At a cinema in Zhengzhou, the capital city of central China's Henan Province, thunderous applause broke out again and again when military formations marched through Tian'anmen Square.
"I'm extremely proud to be Chinese. The visual and emotional impact delivered from the parade formation inspection has cemented the concept of the powerful nation as a perceptible strength," said Wei Jianli, a local resident.
In Zhangye, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, residents watched the live broadcast of the military parade.
"I'm so excited after watching the military parade. Seeing the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) marching through Tian'anmen Square, and seeing this advanced equipment being reviewed at Tian'anmen Square, I saw our soldiers' resolve to defend the nation and safeguard peace. Now China has modern and advanced weapons, which gives greater resolve to our soldiers and Chinese people to safeguard peace," said Zhang Yaqi, one of the residents.
At Sanxing residential community in Harbin City, in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, elderly residents gathered in the activity room to watch the grand parade together.
"It's truly astonishing. China has indeed made great efforts over the past 80 years. I joined the army in the 1960s, and there was a big gap compared with what it is now. On the path of development, reform and opening up is a milestone, and the country experienced a leap since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. I'm very proud of that as a Chinese citizen," said Zhu Zhenjiu, a local resident.
In addition to the World War II (WWII) veterans invited to watch the parade in person, many other veterans, some well in to their nineties, took in the moment from home, with medals pinned to their chests as they sat solemnly in front of the television.
"This military parade was truly eye-opening. I never imagined our motherland now has so many advanced weapons and has been so powerful. I'm so happy. We must not forget the past, we must not forget history. Today's parade showed me the strength of our motherland and the happiness of our people," said Wang Dengzhou, a WWII veteran in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
China's V-Day parade captivates people across China
