Beijing shuts down for commemoration parade rehearsal

Beijing has shut down roads, metro stations and shopping streets for today's full dress rehearsal of the massive military parade to commemorate the end of the second world war on September 3.

Propaganda officials yesterday escorted nearly 100 foreign journalists on a tour of a military base outside Beijing, where troops are running through drills. The parade will feature 12,000 soldiers and about 500 pieces of military equipment, much of it never displayed publicly before.

Roads surrounding Tiananmen Square and Changan Avenue, where soldiers will march, have been shut down. Additional major roads in central Beijing, including in the central business district, were being added to the list throughout the night.

Vehicles have been banned from parking in the area or near to it. The road restrictions will be lifted when the rehearsal is over at around noon.

Public transport has also been affected. The entire section of the subway's Line 1 suspended operation beginning at midnight. Some stations on Line 2, 4, 9 and 10 were also closed. Service will resume after noon.