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China marked the sixtieth year of its communist rule in Beijing, this Wednesday with a large anniversary parade.
The parade witnessed a show of Chinese military might as the country showcased its military hardware, including its long-range nuclear capable ICBMs and other weapon systems. The event also witnessed a fly-past by Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) jets.
The parade, which is also the largest conducted in the Chinese mainland yet, celebrates the day in the year 1949 when Mao Zedong declared the foundation of the People’s Republic of China.
The event was marked by tight security as much of central Beijing was under lockdown and many city residents were ordered to stay indoors.
“The 60 years of new China have proved that only socialism can save China,” Hu Jintao, the president of China said in his key note address.
“We will unswervingly follow socialism with Chinese characteristics and comprehensively implement the ruling party’s basic theory, basic line and basic programme.”
Dressed in a traditional Mao-style suit he reviewed thousands of troops, riding past them in a black limousine, shouting “Hello comrades, hard-working comrades!”
Apart from the military parade, the celebration also included a “civilian parade” with over 100,000 people taking part alongside floats depicting China’s space programme and last year’s Beijing Olympics, among others.
This Thursday evening, the communist party plans a fireworks display which, according to the state media, would use twice the number of fireworks let off in the spectacular opening ceremony for last year’s Olympic Games.
Needless to say security was very tight. The sale of knives among other things was banned. Flights at Beijing’s main airport were grounded. And people living near the parade route were ordered to stay indoors.
Many rights groups and several prominent dissidents of the communist rule were either placed under tight scrutiny or were jailed by authorities in light of the coming celebrations.
