China says will likely invite Western Allies to WWII parade

BEIJING - China's Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it will likely invite military representatives from the Western Allies who fought with China during World War II to march in a parade in Beijing later this year to mark 70 years since the war's end.

"The countries you have named are the same as those which ought to be within the scope of the countries we are considering inviting," ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng told a monthly news briefing, when asked if the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand would be invited to the parade.

"The military parade we are organising is an international event, not only a Chinese one. So, what is different from before, is that this time is we have invited some countries leaders to watch it, and invited some countries' militaries to send soldiers to participate."

He said the parade was to "remember history, cherish martyrs, treasure peace and usher in the future". He didn't elaborate on which countries exactly had been invited.

"In the past, state-level military parades have been held in Tian'anmen Square. At present I have not heard any news that it will be held elsewhere," Geng said, referring to the landmark at the heart of the Chinese capital.

Chinese soldiers will attend a parade in Russia in May to mark the end of the World War II in Europe, he added.

China's military parade will be President Xi Jinping's first since he took over as Communist Party and military chief in late 2012 and as state president in early 2013.