The General Director of the 60th National Day military parade, Beijing Military Area Commander Fang Fenghui, says 56 various formations will pass through Tiananmen Square for the event.

This includes 14 walking squares, 30 equipment squares and 12 air echelons. Compared to the 1999 military parade in the capital, there will be some changes. Overall, there will be more high-tech and special troop squares.

The new formations fit with the military plan to focus on quality rather than quantity and concentrate more on technology than human resources.

The formations aim to reflect the military forces move toward mechanization and information technology, and integrated joint force operations. In addition, it will exemplify the military capabilities for carrying out new historical missions and fulfilling multiple military tasks.

(CCTV September 17, 2009)