30 world leaders at Beijing military parade
Print Edition
THIRTY heads of state and government leaders will attend a military parade in Beijing next week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Zhang Ming, China’s vice minister of foreign affairs, told a press conference that they would include Russian President Vladimir Putin and South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye.
Among other foreign leaders at the September 3 event will be South African President Jacob Zuma, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was not on the list revealed yesterday.
Asked about his absence, Zhang said: “China has noticed that Abe will be skipping the event because of his parliamentary schedule. We have stressed several times that the celebrations are not targeting specific countries, not Japan or its people. It has no direct link to current Sino-Japanese relations.”
Zhang said China had always advocated the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will not be attending either. Instead, Choe Ryong-hae, a high-ranking official, will represent the country.
Attendees will also include government representatives from 19 countries and the heads of 10 international organizations, including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Six former politicians, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, have confirmed their attendance.
Ambassadors and envoys to China will also be present.
China has extended invitations to foreign troops to take part in its first non-National Day military parade.
Qu Rui, deputy chief of the operations department of the People’s Liberation Army’s general staff headquarters, said nearly 1,000 foreign troops from 17 countries will take part in the parade.
The foreign troops are already in Beijing and took part in rehearsals last week.
Asked to comment on the absence of leaders and troops from the United States, Britain and France, Qu said that “history would not be changed by the attitude of certain countries.”
He added: “We respect the decisions made by the countries, and we will extend our warmest welcome to all foreign troops and delegations that do attend.”
Zhang said: “We have invited leaders to join the Chinese people in celebrating this great day. It is, however, up to them whether to attend.”
Dismissing concerns that China is using the parade to flex its military muscles, Zhang said the event would be a demonstration of China’s aspirations for peace and its firm will to defend it.
“I believe China’s peaceful development will continue to win the support, understanding and blessing of the world.”
Zhang said that dozens of foreigners acknowledged in China for their contributions, including veterans of the “Flying Tigers,” would be attending in person or sending representatives.
In total, more than 100 foreign VIPs or relatives of wartime heroes from 15 countries would be at the parade, including relatives of Canadian doctor Norman Bethune and Japanese veterans who served in the Eighth Route Army, a counter-Japanese force.
In addition to the military parade, “Victory and Peace,” a 90-minute gala is also scheduled for September 3, Dong Wei, vice cultural minister, told reporters.
Qu said: “This was not just a victory for the Chinese people, but also for the world.”
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