Preparations underway for World War II parade in China on Sept. 3

World Today

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

This year marks 70 years since the end of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II. For the first time, China will hold a series of events to commemorate the victory, including a military parade on Sept. 3, 2015.

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

China said the military parade aims to show its commitment to peace. The theme of the event is to remember the history, to commemorate the martyrs, to cherish the peace, and to embark on a brighter future, said Wang Shiming, vice minister of Publicity Department of Communist Party of China Central Committee.

The equipment and armaments on display will be mainly domestic-made weaponry in active service.

A PARADE OF FIRSTS

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

The parade will be the first time that China has marked the anniversary of Japan’s surrender at the end of WWII and the first time China has invited troops of other nations to participate in a military parade.

It will also be the first time that representatives of heroic troops in the war will be marching. The parade will also invite war veterans and their descendants.

HOW SEPT. 3 BECAME CHINA’S V-DAY

Japan's surrender ceremony was held on September 2nd, aboard the American battleship, the USS Missouri.

Japan’s surrender ceremony was held on September 2nd, aboard the American battleship, the USS Missouri.

On August 15th, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito recorded a radio address in which he announced his country’s surrender in the war against China. A surrender ceremony was held on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the American battleship, the USS Missouri.

Officials from the Japanese government signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, thereby bringing an end to World War II. China played an important role in the victory over fascism in the war. Over the course of 14 years, China suffered more than 35 million military and non-military casualties.

On Feb. 27, 2014, China’s top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, passed a draft decision to formalize Sept. 3 as “Victory Day”.

strong>PREPARATION FOR PARADE

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

Beijing has begun to restrict the use of private vehicles based on even- and odd-numbered license plates beginning on Aug. 20 to guarantee quality air by cutting emissions caused by vehicles. And additional 80 percent of vehicles belonging to local governments, public institutions, social groups, and state-owned enterprises will also be banned during this period.

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

File photo of the 2009 National Day parade.

All production industries and construction sites within the city will also be closed during the same period. Work will also be suspended on all demolition projects.

Beijing took similar measures during the APEC meetings held in Nov. 2014, which helped improve air quality in the capital. The phrase “APEC blue” became popular on Chinese social media as netizens described and admired the blue skies during the week.

Story by CCTV News