Nation prepares for massive parade

Peacekeepers' debut

Major General Xu Youze, leader of the peacekeepers' unit, said this will be the first time for Chinese peacekeepers to appear in a national parade, and the soldiers will be the last unit to appear at Tian'anmen Square.

"China has sent about 40,000 troops on United Nations' peacekeeping missions since 1990 when the country first participated in such operations. Currently, there are more than 2,500 Chinese officers and soldiers around the world carrying out peacekeeping tasks," Xu said. "So soldiers in this group will represent not only themselves, but also comrades who have been peacekeepers and who are still on foreign soil keeping the peace."

Some of the unit's members have taken part in peacekeeping missions while others will set out on such missions soon after the National Day parade.

"The peacekeeping force's appearance at the event is intended to show to the world that China is not only a contributor to the global economy but also a guardian of world peace. It also aims to display our determination and capability to maintain peace and stability around the world," said the major general.

Tuesday's parade will be the 18th military parade since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 and the 15th National Day parade.

It will be larger than the ones that marked the 50th and 60th anniversary of the PRC's founding and the 70th anniversary of victory in World War II, according to Major General Cai Zhijun from the Central Military Commission's Joint Staff Department.

All weapons to be displayed at the event are domestically developed, he said, stressing that some advanced weapons will be shown to the public for the first time.

Cai said that a total of 15,000 officers and soldiers as well as hundreds of tanks, missile launchers and aircraft will take part in the event.