A military parade will be the highlight of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. For soldiers from the People's Liberation Army, National Day is a chance to showcase countless hours of meticulous and absolute precision training before a global audience. This is fascinating visually.

Standing straight and steady for four hours, while resisting the urge to blink for at least 40 seconds.

For most people, this is an extreme endurance test. But it's all in a day's work for the soldiers who will make up the artillery formation at the National Day Parade.

A millimeter ruler and thread are useful tools for perfecting standard postures.

Trainer Ma Qianbo said, "The edges of their helmets, their chins, chests, holsters, and tiptoes must be on the same lines. So the entire row will be orderly from top to toe."

The soldiers' ten-month training has tested mental and physical discipline. But they say the honor from participating in one of the world's largest military parades will last a lifetime.

Song Minzhe sacrificed admission to a post-graduate school to take part in the National Parade but he has no regrets.

Song Minzhe said, "The parade may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me. Since I have been recommended for post-graduate study, I believe I will have another chance and ability to pass the entrance examination in the future."