China Commemorates 80th Anniversary of WWII Victory with Massive Military Parade

Strategic Insights -

China celebrated the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II with a grand military parade in Beijing, demonstrating its commitment to peaceful development and showcasing its military strength. The parade was attended by over 10,000 soldiers, more than 100 aircraft, and hundreds of ground armaments, organized under a wartime command system. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China, called on nations to eliminate the root cause of war and prevent historical tragedies from recurring.

Key Takeaways:

  • The parade was the second time since 2015 that China has held a military parade to mark the hard-won victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
  • China has laid out a roadmap to basically achieve modernization by 2035, with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) providing strategic support for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
  • The PLA's new structure of services and arms made its collective debut, showcasing the outcomes of a sweeping military reform under Xi's leadership.
  • China unveiled its land-, sea-, and air-based strategic forces as the nuclear triad for the first time, including powerful new missile systems and electronic jamming systems.
  • The parade highlighted China's commitment to peaceful development and its role as a key player in UN peacekeeping operations, with over 5,000 peacekeepers and 8,000 personnel ready for UN missions.
  • The event became the top trending topic on Chinese social media, with people sharing photos and videos of the spectacle and expressing pride in national rejuvenation.

Statistics:

  • China has suffered 35 million military and civilian casualties in World War II, accounting for around one-third of all WWII casualties worldwide.
  • China is the largest contributor of troops among the UN Security Council permanent members, with over 5000 peacekeepers and a standing force of 8,000 personnel.
  • The parade featured over 10,000 soldiers, more than 100 aircraft, and hundreds of ground armaments.
  • China has announced plans to basically achieve modernization by 2035.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency: "China holds massive military parade to mark 80th anniversary of WWII victory"
  • Chinese Ministry of Defense: "China's Military Parades"
  • United Nations Security Council: "China's UN peacekeeping operations"