The main avenue fronting Beijing's Tiananmen Square is being outfitted with an explosion-proof layer underneath, as the military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory in the anti-fascist war approaches.

Local road maintenance authorities said an explosion-proof layer was added underneath Chang'an Avenue for security and air defense purposes, making the avenue about 120 centimeters thick or 50 centimeters thicker than average, news site chinanews.com reported.

Meanwhile, 215 flagstones outside the Tiananmen rostrum were set to be replaced after serving for more than 50 years.

The flagstone road, which is 400 meters long and 80 meters wide, was first laid in 1958.

Streets near Tiananmen Square are under renovation to make them more durable and water-proof. Fences along the Chang'an Avenue were also replaced with ones carved with a traditional flower pattern.

The repainting of the Tiananmen rostrum began on July 19. The annual refurbishing of the rostrum normally begins in late-August but began earlier this year for the military parade scheduled on September 3, which will be the first military parade on a non-National Day occasion.

China announced details of the military parade in June. According to the plans, a column composed of model Chinese troops will march in the parade, and foreign troops have been invited to participate for the first time.


Newspaper headline: Tiananmen Square road gets explosion-proof upgrade