Numerous citizens and tourists filled the streets of Beijing on Wednesday to witness the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory in World War II, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the celebrations.
At 9:00 when the commemorative event kicked off, people gathered at landmark locations in the city like the Temple of Heaven and the square in front of the Beijing Railway Station, which the military aircraft would flying over, to witness the parade up close.
"Today is the first time I have the opportunity to see fighter jets flying over the Temple of Heaven on site. When the jets carrying the Party and national flags soared overhead, I was overwhelmed by pride and excitement," said Chu Zhaohan, a tourist.
"As an aeronautics and astronautics student, I must come and witness the achievements of China's new fighter jets and experience the country's progress in its journey toward national rejuvenation and national prosperity in the new era," said Lyv Shaoyang, another tourist.
A large outdoor screen in Beijing's Sanlitun business area also attracted numerous people, who gathered to watch the live broadcast of the parade. Excitement surged as armored vehicles rolled through the streets.
"I just watched the live broadcast on the big screen, and I am buzzing with excitement. In this moment, I truly appreciate how the victories of our martyrs and ancestors in the war against Japanese aggression 80 years ago have instilled such pride in us today," said Bai Shaofei, a local resident.
The grand military parade was staged in Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday as part of the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Beijing residents gather to watch V-Day military parade in streets
Beijing residents gather to watch V-Day military parade in streets
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
