BEIJING – The adage goes, “Optics is everything in politics.” 

If this saying is anything to go by, precision, power and pomposity were on full display yesterday, as China flexed its military muscle, displaying its latest generation of stealth fighters, tanks and ballistic missiles amid a highly choreographed cast of thousands. All made in China. 

The parade through Tiananmen Square on Wednesday morning was overseen by Chinese president Xi Jinping, who is also the head of the country’s military and the governing Chinese Communist Party. 

The advanced armaments put on display also included unmanned intelligence and counter-unmanned equipment, hypersonic missiles, directed-energy weapons, electronic jamming systems and strategic weaponry capable of global strikes. 

Standing beside Xi on the Tiananmen Rostrum were Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s supreme leader, along with more than 20 other foreign leaders. 

Also in the mix was Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. 

It was the second time since 2015 that China has held a military parade to commemorate the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. 

Helicopters flew over Tiananmen Square carrying banners that read ‘Justice Prevails’, ‘Peace Prevails’ and ‘The People Prevail’. 

The troops marched in tight, powerful formations, their faces lit with confidence and pride. Columns of new tanks, artillery and other military equipment rumbled through the square. In his speech, Xi noted that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilisation. He called on nations to “eliminate the root cause of war and prevent historical tragedies from recurring.” 

On the day, over 10 000 military personnel, along with over 100 aircraft and hundreds of ground armaments, were arranged into formations according to a wartime command system. 

Additionally, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) new system of services and arms – the result of military reforms under Xi’s leadership – was put on display for the first time. 

“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” he said. The country has laid out a roadmap to basically achieve modernisation by 2035. 

Dressed in a grey Chairman Mao suit, Xi then toured Tiananmen Square, standing in a vehicle and greeting troops with salutations, before the parade finally commenced down Beijing’s Chang’an Avenue. 

Reacting to the military parade on social media as it unfolded, US president Donald Trump questioned whether Xi would acknowledge the role Americans played in World War II. 

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that the United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader,” Trump said. 

“Many Americans died in China’s quest for victory and glory… May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration.” 

Trump was not done, adding, “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as you conspire against the United States of America.” 

The countries later dismissed Trump’s assertions. 

Experience 

On Wednesday morning, in the hours leading up to the celebrations, Beijing came to a standstill. The city’s streets were silent as security was tightened to the maximum for the arrival of world leaders. 

Over 1 000 journalists from around the world, including Edward Mumbuu from New Era, gathered to cover the parade. The media day began early; scores of journalists arrived at the media centre at 2h00 for breakfast and security clearance before heading to Tiananmen Square. After a sleepless night and a three-hour wait, we finally arrived at the square around 5h00. Once there, we faced multiple security checks before being directed to a pavilion located directly opposite the viewing platform where president Xi and other dignitaries stood. 

As the curtain fell, hundreds of penguins were released into the air. This was followed closely by the release of thousands of colourful balloons. The act, an expert on the ground said, symbolised spreading peace around the world. 

-emumbuu@nepc.com.na