China at its Best: Sneak Peek at 'Unprecedented' Military Parade in Beijing

Delegations from 30 countries are expected to attend the WWII end anniversary parade in Beijing.
Above: Chinese paramilitary policemen block a road where Chinese military vehicles wait to take part in the rehearsal for a September 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing.

The event will be China's first ever parade involving foreign troops.
Above: Chinese female troops practice marching near a billboard showing Chinese President Xi Jinping and the slogan "Strive to build a People's Liberation Army that obeys the Party, Wins the war and has outstanding work style" on the outskirts of Beijing.

China's 70th anniversary Victory parade is also unique in that it will feature not only Chinese and foreign troops, but also veterans who fought for the Nationalist faction in China's Civil War, the Kuomintang.
Above: Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army march with their weapons during a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at a military base in Beijing.

According to Aleksandr Isaev of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Far East Institute, China's goal in the parade is to show its military strength and demonstrate that it is one of the winning powers in World War II.
Above: Officers and soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army hold a flag and weapons during a training session for the September's military parade at a military base in Beijing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the parade in Beijing on September 3.
Above: Chinese self-propelled howitzers prepare to take part in rehearsals ahead of the military parade to commemorate the end of WWII in Beijing.

"This is an unprecedented event for China. We hope that the upcoming parade can connect the past with the future, strengthen China's relations with the international community and also spread the idea of peace and development," Major General Qu Rui, deputy director of the parade said.
Above: Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army march with their weapons during a training session for a military parade at a military base in Beijing.

Chinese authorities have ordered 19,000 coal-fired plants and construction sites to either shut down temporarily or reduce their output ahead of the events marking WWII end.
Above: An officer gives instructions as soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army form a line during a training session for the parade.

A child plays with a Chinese national flag near an area cordoned off for rehearsals ahead of a military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing.

A Chinese soldier aligns troops with a string as they practice marching ahead of a September 3 military parade at a camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

Paramilitary policemen and members of a gun salute team fire cannons during a training session for the WWII military parade in Beijing.

Paramilitary policemen and members of a gun salute team shout slogans as they stand in formation during a training session for the parade at a military base in Beijing.

A Chinese soldier gestures from a Chinese armored vehicle as he prepares to take part in rehearsals ahead of the September 3 military parade in Beijing.

Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army attend a training session for the WWII victory military parade at a military base in Beijing.

Chinese residents gather to watch a Chinese self propelled howitzer lined up for rehearsals ahead of the parade in Beijing.