What military hardware will go on show for China’s 70th anniversary parade?
- China’s leadership is reviewing list of weapons for 70th anniversary parade but final line-up could depend partly on relations with US, sources say
- Weaponry on show will be chosen carefully to avoid ruffling feathers amid ongoing trade war
There may be still six months to go but preparations are already well under way for a vast military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
And while the National Day display on October 1 will be a traditional show of advanced military muscle, the weaponry on show will be chosen carefully to avoid ruffling the feathers of the United States as the two tussle over trade, according to sources close to the Chinese armed forces.
One military insider said a list of dozens of weapons had been submitted to the country’s leadership to consider for inclusion in the parade, and the final arrangements would depend in some part on relations with the US.
“Preparations have already begun and rehearsals for the parade have been held in several training bases on the outskirts of Beijing since January,” the source said.
“At the same time, a weapons list with 50 to 60 items has been drawn up and submitted to the Central Military Commission for review.
“If the relationship with the US improves in the coming months, then [President Xi Jinping who heads the CMC] is likely to go for a less aggressive show of force in the parade.”