Members of the formation of Chinese peacekeepers that will participate in the upcoming V-Day parade in Beijing practice at a training site on August 12, 2025. Photo: Wang Cong/GT

With China's military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War less than a week away, officers and soldiers who will participate in the parade have been ramping up training. 

At a press conference on August 20 to outline preparations for the V-Day parade, Wu Zeke, deputy director of the Office of the Leading Group for the Military Parade and a senior officer of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, said that all parade preparations have been basically completed, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

The 70-minute parade will proceed in two steps: a military review and a march-past of troops in Tiananmen Square. During the parade march-past, airborne flag-guarding echelons, foot formations, battle flag formations, armament columns and aerial echelons will pass through or fly across Tiananmen Square in order, Wu said.

Recently, reporters from the Global Times visited a military parade training site and conducted up-close interviews with some of the participating officers and soldiers, who expressed pride and honor to represent the powerful voice of a great nation and demonstrate great resolve to safeguard the country and world peace.

'China's name card'

The bus carrying the reporters slowly made its way along a wide, straight road. In the distance, the first thing that caught their eyes was the formation of the honor guard, often referred to as "China's name card," which has participated in many major events such as military parades and grand celebrations.

As soon as they stepped out of the bus, the reporters heard the sound of strong, steady marching steps. Cui Hangteng, a team member of the honor guard formation, will be among the first to pass through Tiananmen Square, carrying the flag of the Communist Party of China, to receive the review of the motherland and the people.

Cui said that marching across Tiananmen Square, hearing the familiar national anthem, and seeing the five-star red flag flying high, one can truly feel the deep connection between oneself and the nation's history and emotions. 

"As a soldier of the new era in China, we should carry forward the peace that our predecessors fought for with their blood and lives. I am also confident that the future of our motherland will be even more glorious," Cui noted.

'The highest standards' 

On the training ground, the female honor guards attracted a lot of media attention. The female members, tall and confident, have become a beautiful sight. Even though their faces were a bit tanned from the sun, it didn't affect their dignified demeanor at all.

Wang Ranran is one of the first female honor guard soldiers. In her 14 years of service, she has participated in more than 60 honor guard ceremonies, but this is her first time participating in a military parade. "It's a new challenge for me," she said.

"I feel deeply honored to be able to participate in this mission. During the training process, I have personally experienced the indomitable spirit of hard work and perseverance demonstrated by our revolutionary forefathers. I will present myself in the best possible manner and adhere to the highest standards as I undergo review by the Party and the people," Wang said.

In addition to the female honor guards, the militia formation is one of the key formations in this year's military parade and the only formation composed entirely of women, as a majority of the formation members are female veterans.

Everlasting flag

During the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, numerous troops charged into battle with fearless determination. To date, the fluttering flags tell the story of the revolutionary forefathers' heroic resistance. 

As a flag bearer in the formations of battle flags, Yao Jiuwei told the Global Times that "if the red color of the flags was dyed with the blood of the revolutionary forefathers, then we must continue this honor with our sweat."

'Safeguard world peace' 

On the training ground, the blue berets worn by the troops marching in formation could be seen from afar, making them easily identified as the formation of Chinese peacekeepers. The formation is composed of personnel drawn from various units deployed to peacekeeping missions. Many of the troops in the formation have previously participated in UN-organized international peacekeeping missions in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. 

Lan Yu has served in peacekeeping missions in South Sudan. He believes that when the formation of the peacekeeping forces marches through Tiananmen Square on September 3 to be reviewed by the Party and the people, "this will be not only a source of pride and honor for us, but also for the officers and soldiers serving in peacekeeping missions around the world. China not only has strong combat capabilities, but also the determination, ability, and responsibility of a major power to safeguard world peace."

'Better equipped, higher spirited' 

Air force pilot Wei Xing will make his "debut" at the military parade. In an interview with Global Times, he said that as a fighter pilot, wherever national interests lead, he will fly and accomplish the mission. 

When talking about feelings during training, Wei said that the parade has stricter requirements and higher standards for flight skills, standard procedures, crew coordination, and emergency response, with a greater emphasis on flight operation stability and overall coordination. In order to be in the best possible condition for the parade at Tiananmen Square, the participating crew members recorded every flight during training. After each flight, they review the flight data and continuously improve the precision of their maneuvers.

Noting the significance of the military parade, he said that "the Chinese people have never yielded in the past, and now we are better equipped and higher spirited."

'Looking forward to it' 

"Our rehearsal at the Tiananmen Square went very well," said Huang Yanhui, head of the joint military band of the PLA.

The Joint Military Band will also be reviewed by the Party and the motherland on September 3. The band is composed of outstanding military musicians from various units across the military. The band is also the earliest to enter and the latest to exit in all previous military parades.

Huang has participated in multiple military parades, and each time is a new beginning with higher standards to him. He said that this year's music includes some classic traditional pieces such as "March of Steel Torrent" and "The People's Army is loyal to the Party." "At the same time, we have some original innovative pieces that are combined with the military parade to create a stunning effect. Everyone can look forward to it," he said.