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China military parade commemorates WW2 victory China military parade commemorates WW2 victory
(35 minutes later)
China is holding a lavish parade to mark the defeat of Japan in World War Two, showcasing its military might on an unprecedented scale. China is holding a lavish parade in Beijing to mark the defeat of Japan in World War Two, showcasing its military might on an unprecedented scale.
President Xi Jinping in his opening speech paid tribute to "the Chinese people who unwaveringly fought hard and defeated aggression" from Japan.President Xi Jinping in his opening speech paid tribute to "the Chinese people who unwaveringly fought hard and defeated aggression" from Japan.
He also announced he would cut 300,000 personnel from the People's Liberation Army, but did not give a timeframe. He also said the People's Liberation Army would be reduced by 300,000 personnel, but gave no timeframe.
China's growing military capability is being keenly watched amid tensions. China's growing military power is being keenly watched amid regional tensions.
Some 12,000 troops and 200 aircraft, as well as tanks and missiles, are on display in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Some 12,000 troops and 200 aircraft, as well as tanks and missiles, are on display in Tiananmen Square.
More than 80% of the machinery on display is being shown in public for the first time, state media has said.More than 80% of the machinery on display is being shown in public for the first time, state media has said.
Mr Xi, who is also commander of the armed forces, is centre stage at the proceedings along with more than 30 foreign government officials and heads of state.Mr Xi, who is also commander of the armed forces, is centre stage at the proceedings along with more than 30 foreign government officials and heads of state.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korea's President Park Geun-hye and, controversially, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon are among the biggest names in attendance. 'China will not seek expansion'
Many major leaders, including from the US, UK, Australia and Japan, have shunned the event. Mr Xi made the troop reduction announcement in a speech where he reassured the global community that "China will remain committed to peaceful development".
"During a period of strained relations between China and Japan, as well as increasing military tension in the Asia-Pacific region, some leaders are reluctant to be associated with what they may view as a nationalistic, anti-Japanese mass rally," says Alexander Neill from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore. "No matter how strong it becomes, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It will never inflict its past suffering on any nation," he said.
The BBC's China editor Carrie Gracie, who is in Tiananmen Square, says the skies are perfectly blue rather than smoggy - after factories were closed, barbecues banned and cars stopped from travelling. BBC China Editor Carrie Gracie, who is watching the parade, says the army cuts will not mean a weaker China.
There are no balloons or pigeons around the square in case they disrupt the fly-past of military aircraft, she says. China is also upgrading its naval and air forces, she says, so does not need as many boots on the ground to project its power around the world.
Alexander Neill from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore, said the move shows China's "determination to have a modern fighting force".
Leaders shun event
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the world's largest military, with 2.3 million members. China also has the second biggest defence budget after the US.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korea's President Park Geun-hye and, controversially, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, are among the biggest names in attendance.
But many major leaders, including from the US, UK, Australia and Japan, have shunned the event.
"During a period of strained relations between China and Japan, as well as increasing military tension in the Asia-Pacific region, some leaders are reluctant to be associated with what they may view as a nationalistic, anti-Japanese mass rally," says Mr Neill.
Celia Hatton, BBC News, Beijing: For sale - submarines, fighter jets, dronesCelia Hatton, BBC News, Beijing: For sale - submarines, fighter jets, drones
China's victory parade is designed to be a grandiose demonstration of the country's military prowess. But it's also a useful opportunity for the Chinese military to showcase its wares.China's victory parade is designed to be a grandiose demonstration of the country's military prowess. But it's also a useful opportunity for the Chinese military to showcase its wares.
A few months ago, China surpassed Germany to become the world's third largest arms supplier, according to the Stockholm Peace Institute.A few months ago, China surpassed Germany to become the world's third largest arms supplier, according to the Stockholm Peace Institute.
"That shows the intention to showcase the progress of China's arms industry," explains Mathieu Duchâtel, head of the China and Global Security Project with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
"In terms of exports, it will indicate the move of China as a major arms importer to a major exporter."
Arms sales from China have soared 150% in the past five years. For the first time, all of the armaments shown during the parade will be Chinese-made, with no Russian-made weapons on display.Arms sales from China have soared 150% in the past five years. For the first time, all of the armaments shown during the parade will be Chinese-made, with no Russian-made weapons on display.
In April, the Chinese signed a deal to supply eight new submarines to Pakistan - the most expensive arms deal in Chinese history. There is also a possible deal in the works to sell Chinese submarines to Thailand.In April, the Chinese signed a deal to supply eight new submarines to Pakistan - the most expensive arms deal in Chinese history. There is also a possible deal in the works to sell Chinese submarines to Thailand.
The parade is not quite the same as an arms fair, but representatives from China's closest military allies will be on hand as China's latest weaponry streams past them.The parade is not quite the same as an arms fair, but representatives from China's closest military allies will be on hand as China's latest weaponry streams past them.
Just what is China trying to prove? - An image of China that shuns creativity in favour of uniformity and obedience
Preparing for a parade - Trained monkeys and banned pigeons were part of the prep
The military wares China wants to boast about - Alexander Neill from IISS-Asia gives his views
China's People's Liberation Army is the world's largest military, with 2.3 million members, and it also has the second biggest defence budget after the US.
In the build-up to the event, state media have been publishing commentaries that reinforce Chinese patriotism and views on historical events.In the build-up to the event, state media have been publishing commentaries that reinforce Chinese patriotism and views on historical events.
Beijing's normally smoggy skies are unusually blue, after factories were closed, barbecues banned and cars stopped from travelling.
There are no balloons or pigeons around the square in case they disrupt the fly-past of military aircraft, she says.
Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China in 1937 and, according to Beijing, eight years of fighting claimed 14 million Chinese lives.Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China in 1937 and, according to Beijing, eight years of fighting claimed 14 million Chinese lives.
China also claims that it is the "forgotten ally" and that its role in defeating Japan has been underplayed in the post-war narrative.China also claims that it is the "forgotten ally" and that its role in defeating Japan has been underplayed in the post-war narrative.
Nationalist forces led the fight against Japan in China. They were defeated by Mao Zedong's Communists who proclaimed a people's republic in 1949.Nationalist forces led the fight against Japan in China. They were defeated by Mao Zedong's Communists who proclaimed a people's republic in 1949.