China is preparing to hold an enormous military parade in Beijing next month to mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II, an event set to put its growing military power on full display. Tens of thousands of troops are expected to take part, joined by a fleet of aircraft and an arsenal of cutting-edge weapons, many of which have never been publicly revealed.
Officials said the highlights will include fighter jets, bombers, and missiles capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound, according to Reuters. The parade will also feature new tanks, early-warning aircraft meant to shield China’s carriers, and vehicles designed to neutralize drones. The new missile systems are expected to attract the scrutiny of the U.S. and its allies.
Wu Zeke, deputy director of the military parade, said, “(The weapons and equipment) will fully demonstrate our military’s robust ability to adapt to technological advancements, evolving warfare patterns, and win future wars.”
Military officials confirmed that newly developed equipment will make up a large share of the arsenal on display, though they declined to specify exact numbers of troops or weapons.
The September 3 “Victory Day” parade will last about 70 minutes and consist of 45 troop formations. President Xi Jinping will preside from Tiananmen Square, joined by foreign dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At the last parade of its kind in 2015, more than 12,000 soldiers marched, joined by contingents from countries such as Russia, Belarus, Mongolia, and Cambodia. Some veterans from Taiwan also took part, though most Western leaders refused to attend.
Preparations are already visible across Beijing. Security has been tightened with checkpoints, road closures, and the shutdown of shopping malls and offices near the parade route. Rehearsals have taken place on recent weekends, drawing tens of thousands of participants and spectators.
For some participants, the occasion is deeply personal. Staff Sergeant Lan Yu, 28, who previously served in South Sudan as part of a U.N. peacekeeping mission, will march in the parade for the first time.
“This year marks my 11th year in the military, and it’s my first time representing the peacekeeping force in a parade,” Lan said.
