Fighter jets fly over the capital
Print Edition
FIGHTER jets flew low over Beijing yesterday as thousands of soldiers from China, Russia and other countries rehearsed for a military parade next month commemorating the end of World War II.
China held the large-scale rehearsal for the September 3 military parade from Saturday evening to yesterday morning in Tian’anmen Square and along the Chang’an Avenue in downtown Beijing.
More than 10,000 servicemen and servicewomen, about 500 military vehicles and nearly 200 aircraft took part in the rehearsal.
All formations, including foreign troops and World War II veterans, were present while about 35,000 guests observed the parade. The rehearsal was “smooth and orderly” and achieved the expected results, military officials said.
The upcoming parade will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the victory of the war of China’s resistance against the Japanese invasion.
The rehearsal was held at the weekend to minimize inconvenience caused by traffic controls in various parts of the capital.
The city center was closed to the public, but photographs on social media showed Chinese missile carriers rolling through Tian’anmen Square and troops carrying the flags of Cuba, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Pakistan. Military helicopters flew over forming the figure “70.”
The Chinese military plans to show seven types of long, intermediate and short-range missiles at the parade. A military official told Xinhua news agency that 84 percent of armaments to be displayed have not been shown in public previously.
Belarus, Kazakhstan and Mexico also plan to participate.
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia, Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt and Milos Zeman of the Czech Republic have accepted invitations to attend, along with unidentified leaders from Central Asia.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has said she will attend a ceremony marking the anniversary of victory over Japan, but aides say that she has yet to decide whether to attend the military parade.
The 75-member Mexican military delegation will include officers and cadets from the country’s military, naval and air force colleges.
“With this event, we want to help Mexico become a player with global responsibility,” said Jose Carlos Luna Loaeza, commander of the delegation.
China’s last such military parade was held in 2009 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic.
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