China is to hold a grand rally Thursday morning in Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The two-hour celebration at the center of the dressed-up capital city will include a massive military parade and a giant pageant involving some 200,000 people in front of Tian'anmen Rostrum, on which late Chairman Mao Zedong announced the founding of New China.

It is widely seen as a showcase of major achievements and growing strength of the 1.3 billion-people socialist country, which now emerges as the world's third largest economy in terms of gross domestic product after 60 years of development.

The rally is scheduled at 10 a.m., kicked off by 60 gun salutes and a national flag-raising ceremony.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will review military troops and deliver a National Day speech.

Participated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the People' s Armed Police Force (PAPF), military reserves and militia, the military parade following Hu's speech is set to be a debut of China's latest weaponry and enhanced defense strength.

Some sophisticated weaponry developed by China itself, including cruise missiles, early warning aircraft and new battle tanks, will be the centerpiece of the parade passing Tian'anmen Square, the political heartland of China.

More than 150 jet-fighters, bombers, helicopters and other aircraft are to fly over the square.

This will be followed by a civilian parade involving some 100,000 people and 60 decorated floats. Accompanied by song-and-dance performances, the themed pageant is designed as a mobile exhibition of China's achievements since 1949.

In the evening a musical and dance gala and a fireworks extravaganza will be also staged on Tian'anmen Square.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2009)