Beijing, August 20 – The State Council Information Office of China held a press conference on August 20 regarding the preparations for the military parade. The deputy director of the parade leadership group office and deputy director of the Operations Bureau of the Central Military Commission’s Joint Staff Department, Major General Wu Zeke, stated at the conference that the proportion of new-domain and new-quality forces in this parade has increased.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission have decided to hold a grand military parade in Tiananmen Square in the capital on September 3 this year. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will review the troops.

Wu Zeke indicated that the design of this parade highlights three aspects.

First, the structure of military forces has become more complete. Shortly before this year’s Army Day on August 1, the Chinese military unveiled new military flags for various branches. Military flags are the combat banners of the People’s Liberation Army and serve as its symbol. The improvement of the military flag system signifies the enhancement of the military force structure. In this parade, the reviewed formations will carry their respective military flags and the flag of the Armed Police Force, representing a comprehensive display of the Chinese military’s strength.

Second, the proportion of new-domain and new-quality forces has increased. In addition to the four strategic branch formations in the foot formations, which themselves represent new-domain and new-quality forces, the equipment formations specifically include groups such as unmanned, underwater, and cyber-electronic warfare units as part of the new operational capabilities.

Third, the armed forces system is more comprehensive. It includes not only the active forces of the People’s Liberation Army but also armed forces such as the Armed Police, reserve forces, and militia, forming a “three-in-one” armed forces system with Chinese military characteristics.

Xu Guizhong, the executive deputy director of the office of the parade command organization of the Central Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army and deputy director of the Political Work Department with the rank of major general, explained that this parade involves a wide variety of equipment types and new technical systems, with most units being mixed formations, making equipment management and support challenging. Practical measures have been taken, such as assembling experts and technical backbone personnel from different fields according to combat requirements to build a flat and efficient support system, extending joint support to the tactical level.

In terms of support models, relying on existing equipment technical specifications and standard operating procedures, a single-equipment responsibility mechanism has been established, implementing card-based and checklist-style maintenance to achieve engineering and standardization in equipment management and support.

In terms of support methods, utilizing an intelligent equipment management information system, information is dynamically collected, data analyzed, and situations generated. Equipment health monitoring is conducted throughout the entire process, with targeted preventive maintenance carried out, significantly improving equipment support efficiency and reliability.

State Council Information Office of China

The State Council Information Office of China is the primary agency responsible for publicizing government information and policies, as well as managing media relations for China’s central government. It was established in 1991 to improve transparency and communication. The office organizes press conferences, publishes white papers on major issues, and facilitates engagement with both domestic and international media.

Central Military Commission

The Central Military Commission is the highest national defense organization in China, responsible for commanding the country’s armed forces. It was established in its current form under the 1982 Constitution, continuing a long tradition of centralized military command that is ultimately led by the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is a large city square in the center of Beijing, China, renowned as a national symbol. It was originally designed and built in 1651 and later expanded in 1958 to its current monumental size. The square is historically significant as the site of many important political and cultural events in Chinese history.

Communist Party of China

The Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded in 1921 and led the Chinese people to victory in the revolutionary civil wars. It has been the ruling party of the People’s Republic of China since its establishment in 1949, guiding the country’s development and reforms.

People’s Liberation Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China and the military wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), founded on August 1, 1927. It originated as the Red Army during the Chinese Civil War and was instrumental in the CCP’s victory, which led to the establishment of the PRC in 1949. Today, it is one of the world’s largest military forces, encompassing the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force.

Armed Police Force

The Armed Police Force is not a specific place or cultural site, but a paramilitary organization. It is a national gendarmerie force in China, officially known as the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP), which is responsible for internal security, law enforcement, and disaster response. It was formally established in its current structure in 1982, evolving from earlier internal defense units of the People’s Liberation Army.

Central Theater Command

The Central Theater Command is one of five theater commands of China’s People’s Liberation Army, established in 2016 as part of a major military reorganization. It is responsible for the strategic defense of the capital, Beijing, and the critical North China Plain region. Its history is rooted in older military regions, particularly the former Beijing Military Region.

Army Day

Army Day is a national observance in several countries that commemorates the founding or achievements of their respective armed forces. It often involves military parades, ceremonies, and public events to honor service members. For example, in China, Army Day is celebrated on August 1st, marking the 1927 Nanchang Uprising which is considered the birth of the People’s Liberation Army.