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Nectar Gan

Zhuang Pinghui

President Xi Jinping today revealed he would cut the size of China's military personnel by a staggering 300,000 - twice the size of the British Army - as he lauded his country’s position as a major world power during a massive mililtary parade marking the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan.
The South China Morning Post reported yesterday that China was planning on massive reform and downsizing of the People's Liberation Army - the world's largest army which currently has 2.3 million troops, but the formal announcement was not expected at such a high profile public event.
Speaking on the Tiananmen Rostrum where Mao Zedong declared the formation of the People’s Republic in 1949, Xi said “total victory” over Japan “restored China’s status as a major country in the world”.
Read more: Full text: Xi Jinping in military parade speech vows China will 'never seek hegemony, expansion'
Watch: Massive display of force in China's military parade





The parade was attended by hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, but major Western leaders stayed away with disquiet growing over China’s increasing willingness to throw its weight around in territorial disputes.
But for Xi, it was a welcome distraction from the country’s plunging stock markets, slowing economy and recent blasts at a Tianjin chemical warehouse that killed at least 160 people.
“Comrades! greetings!” Xi shouted as he waved to lines of soldiers he was inspecting from a China-made Red Flag sedan - the same brand of vehicles all his predecessors rode during military parades.




The soldiers shouted back: “Greetings. Chief!”  Xi shouted again: “Comrades, you have worked hard!” The soldiers shouted back: “Serve the People!”
Xi then kicked off proceedings with a key-note speech announcing the personnel cuts at the iconic Tiananmen Gate in the heart of Beijing, flanked by Chinese leaders and foreign dignitaries, including Putin, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"In the interest of peace, China will remain committed to peaceful development. We Chinese love peace. No matter how much stronger it may become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion", Xi said.


"It will never inflict its past suffering on any other nation. The Chinese people are resolved to pursue friendly relations with all other countries, uphold the outcomes of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and make greater contribution to mankind," he added.
After a 70-gun salute thousands of troops - including a detachment from Russia - marched in formation through the square, with tanks and missiles following and a flypast by around 200 aircraft in blue skies overhead.
State broadcaster CCTV hailed China’s contribution to the victory in the second world war, saying China deterred the advancement of the Japanese army in South East Asia. China’s casualties accounted of one third of all the deaths in the second world war. 

Beijing officially calls the conflict the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, and regularly criticises Tokyo for what it says is insufficient contrition over wartime atrocities. But it has repeatedly insisted the parade was not aimed at any particular country, including Japan.
“The unyielding Chinese people fought gallantly and finally won total victory against the Japanese militarist aggressors, thus preserving China’s 5,000-year-old civilisation and upholding the cause of peace,” Xi said.
He described the conflict as “a decisive battle between justice and evil, between light and darkness”.
Swag bag at #China #military #parade: cap, flags, water, tissue, poncho, Chinese medicine and temporary tattoos! pic.twitter.com/BpMbScY72G
— Julie Makinen (@JulieMakLAT) September 2, 2015

It's said the weapons presented at this parade are 100% made in China. Here's a quick look at the tanks. pic.twitter.com/LRR3hFqRz5
— Sarah Li 李卉 (@sarah900102) September 3, 2015

#VDay commemoration ends with 2,015 doves, 50,000 balloons flying into sky, representing China’s wish for world peace pic.twitter.com/UXlG7auR1k
— CCTVNEWS (@cctvnews) September 3, 2015

Doves released at end of #China #parade, brings crowd to feet, security guard yells: sit down!!! pic.twitter.com/wD9sF6fmEm
— Julie Makinen (@JulieMakLAT) September 3, 2015

Traffic on a normal day in and around #Beijing versus today due to #VDay celebrations. http://t.co/zbnrS1DYMa pic.twitter.com/aBCM54WNQN
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 3, 2015
 
Today was the first time China's first lady Peng Liyuan has attended a military parade of this kind. Peng, 53, is widely seen as China’s most high-profile first lady since the Cultural Revolution. Since Xi came to power in late 2012, she has attracted significant public attention and sparked waves of media frenzy while touring abroad with Xi or receiving foreign guests at home.
Today she was pictured wearing a striking red dress and white pearl necklace, greeting overseas dignitaries north of Tiananmen Square with her husband. 
Three generations of China’s president were also seen standing shoulder to shoulder at the Gate of Heavenly Peace for the first time. 
It was the first public appearance of both Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao since September last year where they attended a banquet to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

Each of the 40,000 guests at #China #parade will get gift bag. Items inside include hat, water, tissues and raincoat. pic.twitter.com/jSHaN30RSg
— Matt Simon (@MSimonTV) September 1, 2015

Spotted in the third row. Tony Blair. #parade pic.twitter.com/znNycXkwVy
— david munk (@davidmunk) September 3, 2015
Three former premiers Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, and Wen Jiabao, as well as former vice president Zeng Qinhong and party elder Song Ping, (secretary of former premier Zhou Enlai), were among the party elders making a rare, collective public appearance.
Other state leaders attending includded South African President Jacob Zuma and Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain. One of the guests was Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court. 
The only head of state or government from the EU was Czech President Milos Zeman. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was also pictured in the stand. 


Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan didn't attend though former Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama did. Pyongyang sent its Politburo member Choe Ryong-hae. 
The United States, Canada and Germany sent representatives from their diplomatic missions in China, while France and Italy will send foreign ministers.
“I would like China to show its future-oriented attitude to work on common issues which international society is facing, not focus excessively on the past unfortunate history,” Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference in Tokyo today.
Among the weapons China unveiled for the first time today was an anti-ship ballistic missile, the Dongfeng-21D, which is reportedly capable of destroying an aircraft carrier with one hit.



Also shown were several intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the DF-5B and the DF-31A as well as the DF-26 intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM), dubbed the “Guam killer” in reference to a US Pacific Ocean base.
In a sign of China’s emerging military capability, five Chinese Navy ships are sailing in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska, the Pentagon said today, at a time when US President Barack Obama is touring the state.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said it was the first time the United States had seen Chinese navy ships in the Bering Sea.
— Pankaj Pachauri (@PankajPachauri) September 3, 2015

Helicopter formation kicks off parade pic.twitter.com/4KuLnuqPVS
— Tom Phillips (@tomphillipsin) September 3, 2015


It was not clear whether their presence was timed to coincide with Obama’s visit or if it followed a recent Chinese-Russian navy exercise. Chinese state media has said nothing about the Bering Sea deployment.
Xi will meet Obama in Washington for talks later this month that will be dominated by a host of thorny issues, including China’s growing military reach.
Since the republic’s founding, China has held 14 military parades to celebrate its October 1 National Day.
In past parades, the honour of watching the march from the rostrum was reserved solely for party, government and military leaders as well as some special delegates.



Just because tanks near Tiananmen draws the juxtaposition. Too obvious? pic.twitter.com/bqvA4GC9vW
— James West (@jameswest2010) September 3, 2015


Why is a South Korean fringe group backing Japan’s position on WWII ‘comfort women’?

Will Japan’s Kishida be the man with the Midas touch in Unesco gold mine row with South Korea?

Brutality and hardships of Japanese internment camp brought to life in British national’s diary

Mystery of 11 Chinese tortured in Japan unearthed in forgotten WWII document trove

70th anniversary of Japan's WW2 surrender

'We Chinese love peace': Xi Jinping's war parade message moments before announcing cuts of 300,000 military personnel 

President Xi Jinping waves from a car as he reviews troops on Tiananmen Square during the military parade. Photo: EPA

Speaking on the Tiananmen Rostrum Xi said “total victory” over Japan “restored China’s status as a major country in the world”. Photo: Reuters

Xi is pictured in a limousine as he travels along the parade route watched by thousands of people. Photo: Reuters

An up-close picture of Xi with hundreds of soldiers pictured in the background. 

Russian President Putin shakes hands with Xi and his wife Peng ahead of the military parade. 

Xi presents a medal to a veteran who fought for China in the war. Photo: Reuters

Deng Xiaoping, the late paramount leader of China in a Hongqi convertible in 1984.


Female Chinese soldiers are pictured touching up their make-up.

Xi Jinping (3rd L) talks to former President Jiang Zemin (4th L) next to South Korea's President Park Geun-hye (L), Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd L), Chinese former President Hu Jintao (5th L), and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (6th L). Photo: Reuters

The parade in full flow. Photo: Xinhua

Peng Liyuan (in red) and Park Geun-hye (in yellow) are standing in front of the Tiananmen Square. Photo: Xinhua


Members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) chorus at the 70th anniversary parade. Photo: Xinhua

Hundreds of troops line the parade with military bands in the foreground. Photo: Xinhua

Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan (in red) pose with a group of foreign dignitaries. Photo: Xinhua

Deng Xiaoping inspecting the Communist troops in a RHD Roadmaster.


Xi waves as he reviews troops from a car during the parade at Tiananmen Square. Photo: AFP

Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) march during the military parade. Photo: Reuters 

Xi Jinping (C) with Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye (R). Photo: Xinhua

Chinese military police salute during the parade. Photo: Xinhua

Members of military chorus sing during the parade watched by hundreds of dignitaries. Photo: Xinhua

Military vehicles carrying DF-15B short-range ballistic missiles drive past the Tiananmen Gate. Photo: Reuters 

Military vehicles carrying DF-31A long-range missiles were also showcased. Photo: Reuters 

Chinese army personnel stand as invited guests at the parade. Photo: EPA

Helicopters in formation fly past the Chinese National flag during the military parade. Photo: Xinhua

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin (R) is helped to his position before the parade with Xi Jinping (C), Putin (L) and China's Premier Li Keqiang. Photo: EPA

South Korean President Park Geun-hye (L) is welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) and his wife Peng Liyuan at Tiananmen Square. Photo: EPA

Tienanmen Square from above during the military parade. Photo: EPA

An aerial view of military helicopters in formation over the central business district during the military parade. Photo: EPA

Xi Jinping says China will be guarantor of world peace as he downplays parade’s military muscle 

China's President Xi Jinping (centre at rear) gestures as he delivers a speech behind Russia's President Vladimir Putin (right), South Korea's President Park Geun-hye (centre) and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev (left)  during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II. Photo: AFP

President Xi Jinping makes his speech during the commemoration activities marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war. Photo: Xinhua

The 12 military ‘hits’ and ‘misses’ of China’s historic parade 

Soldiers march in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during Thursday's grand military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war. Photo: Xinhua 

The J-20 stealth fighter. File photo: SCMP Pictures

The CH-4 drone. Photo: Reuters

The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile launcher. Photo: AFP

The KJ-2000 early warning aircraft. File photo: AFP

A J-31 stealth fighter. File photo: Reuters 

A carrier-borne J-15 fighter jet. File photo: Xinhua

A number of 99A battle tanks take part in Thursday's parade. Photo: AFP

The DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile. File photo: SCMP Pictures

The 052D, the PLA navy’s most advanced guided-missile destroyer. File photo: SCMP Pictures

The PLA navy's 054A frigate. File photo: Haijun360.com

A WZ-19 armed helicopter. File photo: SCMP Pictures

Up to 70 aircraft, including WZ-19 armed helicopters took part in the climax of the parade. File photo: Top81.com

A carrier-borne J-15 fighter jet. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Up to 70 aircraft, including WZ-10 and WZ-19 armed helicopters took part in the climax of the parade. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A WZ-19 armed helicopter. File photo: Top81.com

Up to 70 aircraft, including WZ-10 (composing the number "7") and WZ-19 (composing the number "0") armed helicopters took part in the climax of the parade. Photo: SCMP Pictures

WZ-10 (composing the number "7") and WZ-19 (composing the number "0") armed helicopters form the number 70. Photos: AFP, SCMP Pictures

INFOGRAPHIC: How China will rebuild its People's Liberation Army 

IN PICTURES: China's parade marking 70th anniversary of second world war's end

Thousands of balloons are released during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war. Photo: Reuters

The Chinese flag blows in the wind during the military parade as balloons sail into the sky. Photo: Reuters

Military helicopters form the number "70" as part of the parade commemorations. Photo: Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in a car on his way to review the army as military band members play next to him. Photo: Reuters

Veterans salute as they ride through Tienanmen Square during the military parade. Photo: EPA

More veterans salute as they ride through Tienanmen Square.  Photo: EPA

A parade guest shows off his medals on his coat during the parade. Photo: Reuters

A military vehicle carries a Pterodactyl I unmanned aerial vehicle past the Tienanmen Gate. Photo: AP

Military vehicles carrying DF-31A long-range missiles drive past the Tienanmen Gate. Photo: Reuters

Military vehicles carrying DF-15B short-range ballistic missiles. Photo: Reuters

Military aircraft perform stunts during the military parade. Photo: Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping (third left) talks to former President Jiang Zemin (fourth left) next to South Korea's President Park Geun-hye (left), Russia's President Vladimir Putin (second left), Chinese former President Hu Jintao (fifth left), and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (sixth left) on the Tienanmen Gate. Photo: Reuters

Type 99A battle tanks participate in the military parade. Photo: AFP

Dong Feng (East Wind) DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile launchers move through Tienanmen Square. Photo: EPA

Chinese soldiers stand in their Type 99A battle tanks while participating in a military parade at Tienanmen Square. Photo: AFP

Troops line the streets of Beijing during the 30 minute parade. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in a car on his way to inspect the army, at the beginning of the military parade. Photo: Reuters

A man stands in front of a television set broadcasting Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at his store. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese female military personnel march during the parade. Photo: AP

A national flag is held by a spectator at the scene of the commemoration activities. Photo: Xinhua

Birds are released at the end of the military parade. Photo: Reuters

Members of a joint military band prepare for the commemoration activities to mark the 70th anniversary. Photo: Xinhua

Military vehicles carrying DF-26 ballistic missiles participate in a military parade at Tiananmen Square. Photo: AFP

'All the frustrations leading up to parade were worth it' – what residents and visitors thought 

For those who managed to see, they agreed: it was spectacular and worth the inconvenience. Photos: SCMP Pictures

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South China Morning Post first reported yesterday that China would announce the massive reform and downsizing plan. It is a rare for the president to make the announcement in a speech at a military parade.
