“We believe that peace-loving Japanese people understand and support (the military parade)”, Qu Rui, deputy chief of the Operations Department of the General Staff Headquarters of the armed forces, said August 21 in a news conference.
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“All weaponry and equipment displayed are Chinese-made main battle equipment, 84 per cent of which are to be shown for the first time,”Mr Qu said”.
China will hold a grand military parade on September 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggressions and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Concerns have been raised over the parade, however, military experts insist that every country needs a strong army to defend itself.
The September 3 event is expected to demonstrate China’s fast-growing military capabilities, while highlighting a rivalry between China and Japan.
The parade will include hardware numbering 500 in total and 12,000 troops, he said, while nearly 200 aircraft will also be on show.
Countries from “Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and America” will send their troops to the parade, but Qu did not reveal the names of the other countries, saying, “The detailed information on foreign formations, representative teams and delegations will be released in due time”.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has attached high importance to the preparations for the parade, which is taking place immediately after Japan decided to move towards militarization after spending decades under a pacifist constitution.
Soldiers take part in a training for a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2015. It is unclear whether Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would attend any of the events, and Chinese officials have not said whether or not he was extended a formal invitation.
A few leaders have confirmed their attendance, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who staged a similar military parade in May boycotted by many Western leaders. According to the source, a decision is yet to be made but Abe would probably not attend the parade if he were in Beijing.
The centrepiece of the parade route is through Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of the Chinese state, and the Tiananmen rostrum on the north side of the plaza has been shut to tourists since the start of this month.
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It comes as China is turning into extra lively in asserting its territorial claims within the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
