China unveils plans for Victory Day parade

Chinese servicemen march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russian May 7, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

China on Tuesday announced plans for this year's celebration of the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II, and invited militaries of other countries to participate in a parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Sept 3.

"It's the first time that foreign troops have been invited to participate. We hope through this year's military parade, history and the future can be connected, China and the world can be connected and the message of peace and development can be sent,” said Qu Rui, deputy director of parade steering group office, at a press conference on Tuesday.

It will be China's first parade to mark the victory, with foreign troops and domestic model troops, including the Eighth Route Army, the New Forth Army and the Southern China guerrilla, participating in the parade for the first time, said Qu.

To show respect to those who participated and supported the war, the parade will also invite veterans and their descendants. Other Chinese contingent will be made up of soldiers selected from China’s seven military regions, navy, air force, the Second Artillery Force of the People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police, Qu said, adding that a lot of the military equipment will also be displayed for the first time during the parade.

Qu said to save time and be efficient, all troops taking part in the parade will receive extensive training three months prior to the parade in the autumn, and they have been gathered at bases and some nearby airfields in Beijing for training.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will attend the event and deliver a speech.

At the event, Xi will award medals to veterans and generals who participated in the war and family dependents of the deceased.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Japan signed the formal surrender on September 2, 1945, and China celebrated its victory the following day. September 3 was declared Victory Day.

Related: Farce to fuss over China's military parade

"China will flex its military muscle again." Perhaps that's the main message many Western and Japanese media outlets will grab from the news that China may hold a grand military parade in September.

Such a fuss will only be a farce, even if the parade news is confirmed by the Chinese government. The unusual military parade, if it is held in September to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression, it will only be part of the series of activities to commemorate the World Anti-Fascist War.