10 nations to join China's V-Day parade
Print Edition
REPRESENTATIVES from the armed forces of more than 10 countries will join Chinese troops in a military parade scheduled to be held in Beijing on September 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, a military official said yesterday.
“At present, more than 10 countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan, have said they will send military contingents and representatives to the parade,” said Qu Rui, deputy director of the Office of the Parade Leading Team and deputy chief of the Operations Department of the General Staff Headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army.
Some of the foreign troops have arrived at the parade’s training base and are working with their Chinese counterparts, he said.
Qu declined to name all of the countries that will be represented, but said they span every continent.
“Their participation in the parade is a clear indication of their attitude to jointly commemorate the victory in the world anti-fascist war, and is a symbol of the pursuit of hope for lasting world peace,” the officer told a press conference.
Major General Wang Shun, who is a deputy commander of the parade, told journalists that the visiting troops will be billeted in dormitories equipped with free Wi-Fi, laundry rooms, telephones and foreign exchange services.
They will also have access to swimming pools and football fields, while group outings have also been planned, he said.
In the canteens, both Chinese and Western-style meals will be served in a buffet style, he said.
Over the years, China has held 14 military parades, all of which were staged to mark National Day, which falls on October 1 each year.
Next month’s parade will be the first to commemorate the end of the war against invading Japanese troops and World War II, and also the first to include military personnel from overseas.
The September 3 parade through Tian’anmen Square will involve more than 12,000 Chinese troops, 500 pieces of equipment and nearly 200 aircraft, Qu said.
Personnel from the army, navy, air force, second artillery force and armed police will be arranged in 11 foot formations, two formations of veterans in vehicles, 27 armament formations and 10 air echelons, he said, adding that the vast majority of the military hardware — all of it made in China — has never before been seen by the public.
The foot formations will include troops from units that are on active duty, including the former Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, while the armament formations will include modules for ground combat, air defense and missile defense, maritime attacks, strategic strikes, communication support and logistics and armament support, Qu said.
All of the armaments “represent the new development, achievement and image of the building of China’s armed forces,” he said.
The 10 air echelons will include air flag guard formations, the leading aircraft echelon, airborne early warning and control aircraft, bombers, fighters, carrier-based aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, a refuelling and receiver echelon, and helicopters, he said.
Qu declined to specify exact details of the armaments and aircraft, but said that displaying new weapon systems was international practice in military parades.
“The parade is meant to commemorate history, cherish the memory of fallen revolutionary heroes, uphold peace and usher in the future,” he said.
Wang said more than 50 generals will lead the foot formations and armament formations.
While the display is intended to be impressive, no new armaments were purchased for the parade as its organizers are aware of the need to be frugal, he said.
Among the thousands of Chinese soldiers parading through Tian’anmen Square will be a number of veterans of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Qu said.
With an average age of 90, they will ride in minibuses in two formations, he said.
“Their participation fully reflects the people’s admiration for the veterans,” Qu said.
“The sacrifices they made in the war merit respect from the public,” he said.
Japan invaded China in September 1931, though historians agree that the main invasion began on July 7, 1937.
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