MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On September 3, China’s capital of Beijing will hold a large-scale military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japan and the 70th anniversary of World War II ending.
Presidents, prime ministers and high-ranking officials of almost 50 countries will gather in Beijing to take part in the events.
Over 3,700 journalists, including over 1,500 foreigners, have submitted accreditation requests for the celebration, according to a special press center.
TROOPS TO MARCH
The organizers of the parade revealed some of the classified details following the final rehearsal that was held last week.
A female guard-of-honor unit will join the parade for the first time. The young women will march in three 17-strong platoons, representing the Army, the Navy and the Air Force of the People’s Republic of China.
About a thousand foreign servicemen will take part in the parade for the first time.
Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Pakistan, Serbia, Tajikistan and Russia have sent parade formations to Beijing. Each formation consists of 75 soldiers.
Russia will be represented by members of the 154th Preobrazhensky Independent Commandant's Regiment that will end the parade’s foot section.
A combined chorus of the People's Liberation Army of China with over 2,400 students of military universities will perform about 30 musical compositions for the first time during the parade.
Each soldier has reportedly received a custom-made uniform featuring improved fabrics, as well as lighter, sturdier boots.
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
According to official data, China will display about 500 units of military equipment of 40 types, as well as 200 planes of 20 types, including bombers, fighters, carrier-based aircraft, coastal patrol planes, tanker aircraft and helicopters.
According to media reports, seven types of missiles and a new bomber designed for high-precision and long-range strikes will be displayed at the Tiananmen Square.
The entire parade will last for about 70 minutes.
SYMBOLS
The official logo of events marking the 70th victory anniversary includes a large red figure "70" with five doves on top and a V-shaped section of the Great Wall of China symbolizing victory.
The doves symbolize the people of five continents heading toward a brighter future, as well as the people of China moving toward a great revival under the guidance of the Communist Party of China.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORT
China’s Minister of Environmental Protection Chen Jining said that clean air was an inherent component of a successful parade and of the Chinese capital’s positive image in general.
Chinese authorities have decided that Beijing should have the same air-quality standards that were used during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events in China in November 2014.
Coal burning power plants, over 10,000 industrial plants and about 9,000 construction sites are being shut down in Beijing and neighboring regions between August 28 and September 4, according to media reports. In case of violation of the regime, companies will be banned from bidding for tenders in Beijing’s administrative districts for up to six months.
The Chinese authorities restricted car traffic in the capital starting on August 20.
The measures are expected to reduce local pollution levels by 40 percent.
SECURITY MEASURES
On August 1, the gates of Tiananmen Square were closed, and many city districts became almost paralyzed during the parade’s final rehearsal on August 22−23. Stores, restaurants, banks, parking lots, underground stations and office buildings in the vicinity were closed.
A curfew will be declared September 2−3 on the Tiananmen Square and the central Beijing’s Wangfujing Street, which is popular with tourists.
Beijing’s Shoudu and Nanyuan airports will also be shut down on September 3, between 9:30 a.m. (01:30 GMT) and 12:30 p.m. local time. The Civil Aviation Administration of China expects thousands of passengers to experience delays at the local airports, despite the fact that many airlines have canceled their flights.
INTERNATIONAL REACTION
This will be the 14th military parade since the People’s Republic of China was officially established in October 1949. Since then, China has hosted military parades to mark the Education Day alone.
Last week, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming said representatives of 49 countries confirmed their participation in the celebrations, including the leaders and heads of governments of 30 countries, as well as senior officials from 19 countries.
The presidents of Belarus, Russia, South Korea, the Republic of the Congo, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan and South Africa will be present at the celebrations. Sudanese President Omar Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court over genocide charges, will also visit the Chinese capital for the victory events.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, along with several Western leaders, has declined the invitation to take part in the parade.
Western media have speculated that the parade is aimed at displaying China’s military strength to neighboring countries, particularly Japan, amid territorial disputes in the East China and South China seas.
Commenting on the absence of some Western leaders, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming said that every country has the right to decide whether to accept China’s invitation. He stressed that the celebrations were in no way directed against Japan.
Tokyo has expressed discontent with the participation of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the celebrations, saying that the visit contravenes neutrality of the UN chief.
Apart from the UN Secretary-General, heads of 10 international organizations, including UNESCO, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization will attend the parade.
