Around 22,000 people poured into central Beijing on the weekend to take part in security preparations and rehearsals for a massive military parade next month to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The rehearsal took place from Saturday evening to early Sunday morning near Tiananmen Square in the heart of the Chinese capital, state news agency Xinhua reported on Sunday.
The parade is scheduled for September 3 and will be part of events for the 80th anniversary of the day that China marks its triumph over the Japanese invasion and the global victory against fascism.
It will take place along Changan Avenue and travel through Tiananmen Square, where President Xi Jinping is.
According to Xinhua, the rehearsal featured the “commemorative assembly” and “comprehensively tested organisational support and command operations”.
The People’s Liberation Army is expected to use the event to highlight its modernisation efforts, showcasing its latest weapons and equipment.
