A formation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army takes part in a military parade celebrating the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao)

The military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression and fascism will be held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3, China's State Council Information Office announced at a press conference on Tuesday. 

A military affairs expert told the Global Times that the parade will feature the debut appearance of units such as the PLA's information support force, the aerospace force and the cyberspace force.

Wu Zeke, a senior officer with the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), said at the press conference that the military parade will feature marching formations, armored columns and aerial echelons. "In the overall design, we have scientifically arranged the participation of the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force, and carefully organized each formation and echelon," said Wu.

This year's parade will also feature a joint military band, Wu said. "The band will perform several classic wartime pieces that are widely known and loved by the public," he noted.

The military parade will also arrange for troops that have taken part in peacekeeping missions to participate, which will not only highlight the solemn commemoration of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, but also demonstrate China's responsibility as a major country in fulfilling its international obligations and maintaining world peace, that the Chinese military has always been a firm force in maintaining world peace, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

In 2019, the peacekeeping squad made its first appearance at a military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the parade will showcase China's new structure and composition of military services and arms. 

"This structure includes military services under the command of the CMC such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force, as well as forces like the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force and Joint Logistic Support Force," Zhang said.  

It also highlights the achievements of China's national defense and military reform, and reflects the further improvement of a military system with Chinese characteristics, according to Zhang.

Zhang also noted that this means the information support force, aerospace force and cyberspace force will make their military parade debut. 

On April 19, 2024, the establishment ceremony of the PLA information support force was held in Beijing. The newly established force is directly commanded by the CMC, and the official designation of the Strategic Support Force is canceled. Accordingly, the leadership and management structure of the aerospace force and cyberspace force was also adjusted.

Wu also said that this year's military parade has three key features. One is that it "reflects the distinct characteristics of each military service while also demonstrating integrated joint operations." The marching formations will focus on presenting the newly restructured system of military services and arms following reform, as well as the "three-in-one" armed forces structure.

Zhang noted that this "three-in-one" structure refers to the People's Liberation Army, the People's Armed Police Force and the militia. The parade will highlight the modernization of China's composite armed forces.

Another highlight of the parade will be the equipment formations, which will showcase the latest achievements in the PLA's weapons systems. Through new formation groupings, the parade will demonstrate the PLA's evolving model of joint command, joint operations, and joint support.

New types of combat forces taking part in the parade will include unmanned intelligent equipment, underwater combat systems, cyber warfare tools and hypersonic weapons. "These weapons and systems reflect the PLA's ability to adapt to technological advancements and the evolving nature of warfare, and demonstrate the modernization level of China's military equipment," Zhang noted.

Zhang also said that showcasing these capabilities through the parade will help raise public awareness of national defense, allowing the public to better understand China's military modernization efforts and achievements. 

"This will enhance public confidence in the armed forces and strengthen support for national defense," he added.