Beijing prepares massive Victory Day parade with new weapons, thousands of troops, and global attention on China’s military power.
Beijing prepares massive Victory Day parade with new weapons, thousands of troops, and global attention on China’s military power.
China will stage a massive military parade in Beijing next month to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War II, mobilising tens of thousands of participants and unveiling an array of new weaponry. The event, scheduled for September 3 at Tiananmen Square, will mark the surrender of Japan in 1945 and demonstrate China’s growing military strength at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Officials said the “Victory Day” parade, expected to last around 70 minutes, will feature 45 formations of troops, hundreds of aircraft, and advanced ground equipment, some of which have never before been seen in public. Military analysts say the display will likely highlight anti-ship missiles, hypersonic weapons, and air defense systems designed to counter drones and protect China’s aircraft carriers.
“The weapons and equipment will fully demonstrate our military’s robust ability to adapt to technological advancements, evolving warfare patterns, and win future wars,” Wu Zeke, deputy director of the parade, told reporters at a press briefing.
The parade is only the second such event since 2015 to mark Japan’s surrender, and it comes as China invests heavily in modernising the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Military attaches and security experts say the spectacle will serve as a powerful message about Beijing’s readiness to defend its interests in contested regions, particularly in the South China Sea and across the Taiwan Strait.
While officials have not disclosed the exact number of troops and weapons that will be presented, they confirmed that new equipment would make up a significant proportion of the display. Among the expected highlights are hypersonic-capable missiles, early warning aircraft, and advanced tanks. Trucks fitted with anti-drone technology are also anticipated to roll down Chang’an Avenue in central Beijing.
President Xi Jinping will preside over the parade, flanked by senior Communist Party leaders and foreign dignitaries. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend, continuing Moscow’s show of solidarity with Beijing. His presence would echo the 2015 event, where Russia and several other nations marched alongside Chinese troops.
In contrast, many Western leaders shunned the previous parade, wary of endorsing what they viewed as a projection of Chinese power. Then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe notably declined to attend, underscoring the sensitive historical and political backdrop of the commemorations.
So far, Chinese officials have not revealed which foreign leaders or military contingents, if any, will participate in this year’s procession.
Authorities have tightened security across Beijing ahead of the event. Checkpoints have been installed, road traffic diverted, and shopping malls and office buildings near Tiananmen Square temporarily shut. Two large-scale rehearsals earlier this month drew tens of thousands of participants, including troops, police, and civilians. Officials said preparations for the parade are “basically completed.”
At the 2015 parade, more than 12,000 soldiers marched alongside foreign contingents from Russia, Belarus, Mongolia, and Cambodia, supported by over 500 pieces of military equipment and 200 aircraft. The scale of this year’s display is expected to match or surpass that precedent, especially given the emphasis on unveiling China’s newest military technologies.
While the parade commemorates the Allied victory over Japan, analysts say it is also intended to send a strong political message to both domestic and international audiences. With rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and Beijing’s deepening rivalry with Washington, China is keen to demonstrate that its military is equipped to deter threats and safeguard its ambitions.
“Every parade is both a commemoration and a projection,” said one Beijing-based security analyst. “China is showing its people and the world that the PLA is no longer a regional force but one preparing for future conflicts on a global scale.”
For many in China, the Victory Day celebrations serve as a reminder of the country’s sacrifices during World War II. For others abroad, the spectacle will be scrutinised for clues about how Beijing intends to shape the next decade of global security.
Easily access major global news with a strong focus on Africa. As well as the main stories of the day, we like to accentuate positive stories about Africa across all genres including Politics, Business, Commerce, Science, Sports, Arts & Culture, Showbiz and Fashion.
We broadcast 24 hours a day from our studios in London and New York and can be seen here in the UK and across Europe on the Sky platform (Sky channel 516), Freeview (Channel 136) as well as in the USA on the Centric channel and also on the Hot bird platform, which transmits to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
—
*Source: [https://www.arise.tv/category/global](https://www.arise.tv/category/global)*