Beijing was brought to life at the weekend as an estimated 22,000 volunteers participated in wide-ranging security exercises and rehearsals before a huge military parade is held on September 3. The procession will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat and China’s victory, and the global triumph over fascism.
Rehearsals and Strict Security Alongside Tiananmen Square
The rehearsal, starting on Saturday night and continuing into early Sunday morning, played out close to Tiananmen Square, the city’s ancient center. State news agency Xinhua said the rehearsal included a “commemorative assembly” and thorough tests of organizational backup and command drills to confirm all aspects are in place for the day of the celebration.
Traffic controls were placed around Tiananmen Square in the lead-up to the rehearsal. A number of roads were shut and subway stations close to it closed, disrupting residents and businesses. Stores, tourist destinations, and parks within the area closed early on Saturday, while social media users reported disruptions such as halted food deliveries and workers’ absenteeism.
In spite of the magnitude of the event, the discussion online about the parade was under severe censorship on sites such as Weibo, where only official accounts were allowed to comment on keywords such as “Tiananmen,” “Changan Avenue,” and “parade.”
The parade will move down Changan Avenue along Tiananmen Square, with President Xi Jinping to oversee the ceremony. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will use the parade to highlight its modernization efforts, showcasing advanced weaponry and state-of-the-art equipment.
Over the past few months, images and videos have appeared on social media of PLA planes in stunning formations, including helicopters and stealth fighters such as the J-35 and J-15T. Some flew in configurations resembling a heart and the figure “80” with red flags symbolizing the Communist Party, country, and military.
Deputy head of the warfare bureau Wu Zeke underscored the parade’s dual theme: paying tribute to the historical event of the Sino-Japanese War and emphasizing China’s determination to safeguard the post-World War II international order.
Global Commemorations Highlight WWII Legacy
This celebration in Beijing is one of a larger wave of global commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Previously this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke at Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, an occasion that highlights how relevant it is to continue remembering the war’s sacrifices.
Simultaneously with the Beijing rehearsal, Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba participated in the memorial service for those killed in one of the most horrific attacks in history. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 led to Japan’s surrender but killed more than 200,000 people.
As the world looks back on this moment in history, China’s forthcoming parade promises to be an action-packed presentation of national pride, military power, and a reminder of the global struggle against fascism that defined the contemporary world.
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