Tian'anmen Square and Chang'an Avenue are dressed up and ready to host the grand ceremony commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War. The event will take place on Sept. 3, featuring a spectacular military parade lasting approximately 70 minutes.
This parade marks the first major military review during China's journey into a new phase of modernization. It also represents a significant milestone for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) as it advances toward its centennial goals. This event is characterized by diverse participation, innovative designs, and high standards, with many "firsts" making their debut. Below are the top 10 highlights to guide your viewing experience:
Highlight 1: President Xi Jinping to deliver a key speech
On the morning of Sept. 3, a grand ceremony will be held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing under the auspices of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the CPPCC, and the Central Military Commission. President Xi Jinping will deliver a significant speech. During the parade, the troops will line up along Chang'an Avenue to receive the review of the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping.
Highlight 2: Over 100 types of equipment to be displayed, many to make their debut
The parade will showcase over 100 types of domestically produced, active-duty equipment, with a significant portion being brand-new models making their first public appearance. Ground and aerial systems will feature integrated formations, including land-, sea-, and air-based strategic assets, hypersonic precision weapons, unmanned systems, and counter-unmanned systems—some of which are being unveiled for the first time. This display underscores the PLA's robust capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests while maintaining global peace.
Highlight 3: All equipment is domestically made, featuring fourth-generation systems
All displayed weaponry will be domestically manufactured, active-duty systems. Following the 2019 National Day parade, this event will showcase the PLA's latest generation of weaponry. With fourth-generation equipment as the centerpiece, highlights include hypersonic missiles, air defense, missile defense systems, and strategic missiles, demonstrating the PLA's advanced operational capabilities and strategic deterrence strength.
Highlight 4: Increased focus on new-domain and new-quality combat strength
The parade design emphasizes emerging domains and new-quality forces, with a higher proportion of these units. In addition to four strategic troop formations in the marching contingents, the equipment formations will feature specialized groups for unmanned systems, underwater operations, and cyber-electromagnetic warfare.
Highlight 5: Integrated combat formations reflecting functions in real combat
Equipment formations will be organized in a manner reflecting their functions in real combat. The groups include land combat, naval combat, air defense, missile defense, information warfare, unmanned operations, logistics support, and strategic strike groups. Many of these formations reflect the latest developments in modern warfare, with some showcasing critical national assets, highlighting the PLA's capability to prevail in contemporary conflicts.
Highlight 6: Star aircraft to debut in aerial formations
The aerial formations will be modularly and systematically arranged, comprising advanced early warning aircraft, fighter jets, bombers, and transport planes. These formations will include nearly all current active-duty aircraft, with many "star" systems making their first appearance, showcasing the leap-forward development of the PLA's airpower.
Highlight 7: New structural layout of armed forces to be displayed for first time
The parade will feature a concentrated display of the PLA's updated force structure, including the army aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force, and joint logistics support force. According to an official at the previous press conference, led by the Party, national and military flags, troop formations will march during the parade, holding the flags of various military forces as well as the flag of the People's Armed Police Force.
Highlight 8: Largest military band in history to perform new era compositions
A joint military band of over 1,000 members—the largest in the history of Chinese military parades—will perform at the event. The formation will consist of 14 rows, symbolizing the 14 years of the war. In the front row, 80 salute buglers will signify the 80th anniversary of the war's victory.
Highlight 9: Battle flag formation to showcase wartime honors
A special formation will display distinguished battle flags from different periods, regions, and units that played critical roles during the war. Soldiers from these units will carry the flags through Tian'anmen Square, creating a moving scene that intertwines history with the present and honors the heroes who fought for the nation.
Highlight 10: Militia to march in military parade marking victory against Japanese aggression for first time
For the first time, militia units from 15 provinces will participate in a parade focused on commemorating the victory against Japanese aggression. The militia formations represent major anti-Japanese revolutionary bases and will feature innovative uniform designs, presenting a modern image of China's militia in the new era.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; English Editor: Zoey SUN)
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