The parade will consist of two parts. First, the troops will be reviewed along Chang'an Avenue; then, airborne flag-guarding echelons, foot formations, armament formations and air echelons will pass through or fly across Tian'anmen Square. The parade will last around 80 minutes. The showcase will include around 15,000 military personnel, 160 aircraft, 580 military hardware and 59 formations in total, making it the biggest military parade in recent history, Major General Cai Zhijun, deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade said.
Foot formations are comprised of 15 formations of guards of honor, servicewomen, civilian personnel, reserve forces, militia, peacekeepers, among others.
Major General Tan Min, the deputy chief of staff of the PLA Central Theater Command, said the weapons featured in the parade are domestically made and in service, which represent the innovative capability of Chinese defense research. The weapons are also highly modern, with greater precision, adaptability and overall combat effectiveness, he added.
Around 100,000 people and 70 parade floats will pass Tian'anmen Square on China's 70th birthday on Tuesday to showcase the nation's socioeconomic accomplishments, Zhang Ge, executive manager of the event, said on Wednesday. The parade, using the theme "Jointly Building the Chinese Dream", will feature 36 formations and is divided into three main parts: the nation's founding, reform and opening-up and great rejuvenation, he said. The march will focus on demonstrating the historic accomplishments and changes achieved since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012. It will last around 65 minutes.
Xiao Xiangrong, chief director of the parade, said they hope to turn the event into "a flowing historical epic about China's rise from humble beginnings to being rich and powerful". This year's performance aims to be more vivid and lively, with greater emphasis on improvisation and "letting people from various professions and walks of life tell their own unique stories", he said.
At 8 pm on Tuesday, China will host a grand evening gala at Tian'anmen Square with theme performances, shows and fireworks, lasting around 90 minutes, said Pang Wei, executive deputy minister of the gala's organization department.
The featured show also has four parts: The Great People and Their Magnificent Homeland, Jubilant People and Beautiful Landscape, New Era in a Brand-New World and Shared Happiness and Common Aspirations. Around 3,650 people will showcase unique cultural heritages from all around China, and up to 40 classic and beloved songs will be performed.
Xiong Zhuo, executive manager for volunteers, said more than 160,000 volunteers have joined to assist the nation's celebration, 10,000 of which are directly involved in the parade and the grand evening gala.
這次服務國慶70周年慶祝活動的志愿者,以“90后”和“00后”為主。
Most of the parade volunteers are young people aged 19 to 30.
Huang Cheng, a representative of the volunteers, said she and other volunteers have been drilled extensively and are ready to help in the national celebration. "We are very honored to be volunteering for this historic event," she said. "Although each of us is only responsible for a small task, it still constitutes a contribution to the overall success and glory of the nation, so all volunteers have been diligent and willing to do our jobs."