China to stage first parade marking second world war victory on September 3
Reports say Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will take part after President Xi Jinping attended Moscow’s May Victory Day parade marking 70th anniversary of end of the war in Europe
China said on Tuesday that it will mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war in Asia by staging a major military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3.
Early reports suggest that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has agreed to join the parade as President Xi Jinping was present at Moscow’s Victory Day parade in May, which marked the 70th anniversary end of the second world war in Europe
“The military parade will display the latest achievements in meeting our objectives of strengthening and modernising our military forces, Major General Qu Rui, deputy head of the General Staff’s operation department, told a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday morning.
Qu added that the People’s Liberation Army would also feature some of its most advanced weapons in the parade.
“Displaying new weapons and equipment is a traditional part of military parades around the world.
“This parade will feature some of current main military equipment used by the army, navy, air force and second artillery, including a large section formed of the latest weapons and equipment.”