Chinese Troops Endure Intense Heat During Rehearsals for Grand Military Parade

Rows of immaculately dressed soldiers marched in perfect unison to shouted commands at a training ground in humid Beijing on Wednesday, as China prepared for a major military parade showcasing newly developed domestic weaponry next month.

President Xi Jinping will preside over the event in Tiananmen Square, inspecting troops to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders are expected to attend.

The training ground in southeast Beijing witnessed pin-straight lines of both male and female troops clutching rifles, standing rigid despite the sweltering heat. Soldiers in their twenties fixed their gaze sternly ahead while sweat trickled down their faces and soaked their fatigues.

“I am extremely proud to participate in the parade on September 3,” said Wang Ranran, an army guard.
“China often uses the term ‘steel-gun rose’ to describe its female soldiers. The combination of roses and guns – we really like it.”

Troops, dressed in crisp white, green, and navy blue uniforms, marched and halted on command as officers barked instructions across the grounds.

Lan Yu, a second-level staff sergeant, stressed that “strict, difficult, and practical” training had always been the army’s tradition. He added that rehearsals did not last long since parade practice was already integrated into their daily military routine.

China’s ruling Communist Party has frequently staged grand commemorations of its resistance against imperial Japan during the 1930s and 40s – a conflict which escalated into global warfare after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Millions of Chinese perished during the protracted war, making the upcoming commemoration a moment of national pride and remembrance.

At a press briefing, Major General Wu Zeke, representing China’s military commission, confirmed that the parade on 3 September would demonstrate the evolution of modern warfare.

“All of the weapons and equipment participating in this review have been selected from domestically produced, currently active main battle systems, with a significant proportion being newly unveiled equipment,” Wu announced.

The hardware is expected to include:

The parade, estimated to last around 70 minutes, aims to project the Chinese military’s strength and readiness to prevail in modern war.

International Presence and Geopolitical Context

• The Kremlin has confirmed President Vladimir Putin’s attendance.
• Chinese authorities have stated that other international leaders will also be present.
• The event underscores Beijing’s ambition to highlight its military prowess on the world stage.

In March 2025, China announced a 7.2% increase in defence spending. This comes as its armed forces undergo rapid modernisation, while tensions with its principal strategic rival, the United States, continue to deepen.

Despite having the world’s second-largest military budget, China still trails the US significantly in terms of overall defence expenditure and global military reach.