BEIJING: China held a massive military parade in central Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II, pledging the country’s commitment to peaceful development in a world still fraught with turbulence and uncertainties.
Towering structures shaped like the Great Wall, crowned with giant numerals “1945” and “2025,” stood in Tian’anmen Square, symbolizing the Chinese nation’s courage and solidarity in resisting foreign aggression.
Wearing a dark grey, high-collar suit, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, oversaw the parade and reviewed the troops.
Standing beside Xi on Tian’anmen Rostrum were Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, along with more than 20 other foreign leaders, some of whom attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in the city of Tianjin earlier this week.
Representatives of people who had supported China’s resistance endeavors, or their family members — from countries such as Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada — were invited to the event. This was the second time since 2015 that China has held a military parade to mark the hard-won victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The commemorative event began at 9 a.m. with an 80-gun salute, followed by a solemn flag-raising ceremony, and a chorus of the national anthem.
Helicopters flew over the square carrying banners that read “Justice Prevails,” “Peace Prevails,” and “The People Prevail.” The high-morale, well-equipped soldiers marched along the Chang’an (Eternal Peace) Avenue in tight, powerful formations, their faces lit with confidence and pride. Columns of new tanks, artillery and other military equipment rumbled through the square.
Xi delivered a speech before the parade. Highlighting the significance of the victory 80 years ago, Xi said it marks China’s first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.
Xi noted that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice in the war. He called on nations to “eliminate the root cause of war and prevent historical tragedies from recurring.”
Japan officially surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, by signing the Instrument of Surrender. China designated Sept. 3 as Victory Day.
Xi attended a military parade held in Moscow in May to mark the WWII victory in Europe. China and the Soviet Union served as the mainstay of resistance against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making pivotal contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. –Agencies
