Celebrating the 70th anniversary of Japan’s capitulation in WWII, China has showcased hundreds of its newest military hardware in a remarkable parade which saw some 12,000 troops marching across Tiananmen Square in front of dozens of world leaders.
Some 30 foreign leaders attended the memorial event, representing countries from Russia and Belarus, to Egypt, South Korea and Venezuela. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also attended the parade, while the majority of “high-profile” Western leaders have passed on the event.
Over 200 Chinese aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers and dozens of helicopters, zoomed above the fascinated crowd.
During an almost two-hour-long People's Liberation Army (PLA) parade, several hundred military vehicles of around 40 different types rolled across the square.
The whole event was accompanied by an army orchestra and a 2,400-strong massed choir that sang some 30 songs.
Chinese troops were not marching alone on the commemorative date: They were joined by their fellow soldiers from Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Pakistan, Serbia, Tajikistan and Russia.
Additionally, for the first time in the history of Chinese parades, female soldiers marched on Tiananmen Square.
Addressing the nation and guests prior to the show, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to the path of peace.
“Prejudice and discrimination, hatred and war can only cause disaster and pain,” Xi said, announcing plans to reduce the number of country’s troops by 300,000 as part of the country’s long-term military reform.
"China will always uphold the path of peaceful development,” Xi said.
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