“We also expressed concern over U.S. attempts to strengthen its military and political clout in the [Asia-Pacific Region]”.
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“The armaments represent the new developments, achievements and image of China’s armed forces”, Qu added.
“Their participation in the parade is a clear indication of an attitude of commemorating the victory of the world anti-fascist war jointly, and a symbol of the pursuit and aspiration of enduring world peace”, Qu said.
Parade deputy commander Qu Rui stated 12,000 troops will participate within the September three occasion, together with 27 formations of army gear and 10 formations of helicopters and fixed-wing plane.
China is inviting foreign troops to participate in a military parade for the first time.
Officials are planning a huge military parade to celebrate victory over Japan in World War II.
The parade will also include veterans or their children from both the Communist and Kuomintang forces who fought against the Japanese invasion. “The parade this time is not about countering a certain country or continuing to hate it”.
China yesterday hit out at Japan after the wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine, saying the country should “deeply reflect” on its history of aggression.
Most of the veterans are in their 90s while their children are in their late 70s. Western and Chinese historians estimate millions of Chinese civilians were killed. Medeiros questioned whether such an event would indicate China’s commitment to reconciliation, and he was in turn criticized by China.
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.
Sanlitun, a popular shopping district that was the site of a deadly knife attack last week, will be closed this weekend.
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In a one-sentence reaction, foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said Japan has failed to come to terms with its past. With Dollars 145 billion annual budget, the second highest, it has developed a range of missiles, aircraft and commissioned its aircraft carrier in recent years as China pursued more aggressive strategy with regard to its disputes with neighbours, mainly maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and with Japan. A Chinese land reclamation program in the South China Sea has provoked opposition from a number of countries that maintain territorial claims in the area.
