2nd LD: China unveils plans for V-Day parade

China on Tuesday announced plans for commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, including inviting foreign militaries to participate in a parade on Sept. 3 in downtown Beijing.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will speak at the event, Wang Shiming, deputy head of the CPC Central Committee publicity department, told a press conference.

The parade, marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the victory of World's Anti-Fascist War, will feature some of the country's latest weaponry passing by Tian'anmen Square.

Xi will also present medals to representatives of war veterans and the families of deceased military officers, Wang said.

It will be the first time China has held a parade to commemorate the victory of the eight-year anti-Japanese war, said Major General Qu Rui of the parade steering group, at the press conference.

Active units of heroic and model Chinese troops, including the Eighth Route Army, New Fourth Army, Northeast China Anti-Japanese United Forces and South China Guerrillas, will march in the parade, said Qu, who is deputy chief of operations with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) general staff headquarters.

Troops to be reviewed will come from seven military area commands. Navy, Air Force, Second Artillery Force, Armed Police and units under the direct command of the PLA general headquarters and departments will all take part.

"We have issued invitations and foreign troops who wish to participate are welcome to march in the parade," said Qu.

"It's the first time we have invited foreign troops to participate. We hope through this year's military parade, history and the future can be connected, China and the world can be connected and the message of peace and development can be sent out," Qu said.

"The invitation of foreign militaries shows the wish of China to safeguard world peace with people all over the world," he added.

Japan signed the formal surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, and China celebrated its victory the following day. After the war, Kuomintang (KMT) forces led by Chiang Kai-shek were defeated in a civil war by the Communist Party of China and fled to Taiwan in 1949.

Some KMT veterans will take part in the parade, Qu said, adding that KMT troops played an important role in the war.

Qu said representatives of veterans, civilians who supported the army during the war and members of the families of the fallen will also take part in the parade, which will "show our respect for veterans, civilians and martyrs alike."

Equipment and armaments on display will be mainly domestic and in active service, many of which will be having their first public outing, Qu said, adding preparations for the parade adhere to the principles of pragmatism, frugality and efficiency.

All parade troops have been assembled at a Beijing training base where they will train for three months.

"The aim of the parade is to show China's determination to follow the path of peaceful development, defend world peace and national sovereignty, security and development interests, demonstrating the great sacrifices and contribution to the World Anti-Fascist War by Chinese people, and to display our army's latest achievements in building a modern defence force," Qu said.

Apart from the military parade, an array of other activities will commemorate the anniversary, including seminars on the war and a national memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre killed at the hands of Japanese invaders.

Last month, China announced a national holiday to celebrate the victory on Sept. 3, hoping to engage all people nationwide to take part in the commemoration. Endi