China will unveil hundreds of new domestically made armaments at next month’s military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan in the second world war.
The country is ramping up publicity for the event – with propaganda officials escorting foreign journalists today on a tour of a military base outside Beijing, where troops are practicing for the spectacle that will feature 12,000 soldiers and 500 pieces of China’s latest military gear. But officials still aren’t saying what other countries are taking part.
China says more than 10 countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceana will send contingents to join in, but has so far only identified Russia and Kazakhstan as among them.
Reporters observed hundreds of troops in dress uniform and full battle attire engaging in eight hours of daily marching practice along a tarmac strip similar to the avenue they will march down in the heart of Beijing.
With officers watching closely, they balanced on one foot before stepping forward on command, then swivelled 90 degrees to march back the way they had come.
The army, navy, air force, Second Artillery Corps and Armed Police would all roll out new hardware and weapons, said Qu Rui, deputy director of the Office for the Parade Leading Team and deputy chief of the operations department of the PLA General Staff Headquarters.
Twenty-seven armed formations of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), along with 10 formations of helicopters and aircraft will take part in the parade through Tiananmen Square on September 3.
Qu said 84 per cent of the selected military hardware had not been shown publicly before. “They include about 500 pieces of land equipment and nearly 200 aircraft of more than 20 types,” he said.
China insists the parade is about marking the 70th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, remembering the sacrifices of past generations and demonstrating its commitment to future peace.
