China to mark 70 years of communism with massive show of force in Beijing

By Ben Blanchard

 

Soldiers march in Tiananmen Square before a wreath laying ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, China, September 30, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will celebrate seven decades of communist rule on Tuesday with a display of power through central Beijing, showing off goose-stepping troops, new missiles and floats celebrating the country's technological prowess.

 

The event is the country's most important of the year as China looks to project an image of confidence in the face of mounting challenges, including three months of anti-government protests in the territory of Hong Kong and a bitter trade war with the United States.

 

President Xi Jinping will oversee a massed military parade, with 15,000 troops marching through part of Tiananmen Square, as jet fighters scream overhead.

 

Xi, whose military modernisation programme has rattled nerves around the region, will likely descend from a podium on the Gate of Heavenly Peace to inspect the ranks, though exact details have been kept under wraps ahead of time.

 

Xi remains broadly popular in China for his aggressive campaign against corruption and for propelling what is now the world's second-biggest economy to the forefront of global politics.

 

But the Communist Party remains nervous about its grip on power and international standing.

 

The capital has been locked down for the parade. Police have told residents whose houses look onto the parade route warned not to look out their windows.

 

There will be a civilian parade too, of students, model workers, ethnic minorities and even a few foreigners, walking alongside or travelling in floats celebrating China's achievements, officials said last week.

 

Once the show is over, 70,000 doves will be released to symbolise peace, according to state media.

 

In the evening, fireworks will light up Beijing.

 

Xi faces mounting challenges, notably in Hong Kong, where more large-scale protests are expected on Tuesday. Police there have warned of "very serious violent attack".

 

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is in Beijing for the anniversary celebrations.

 

Another challenge is Chinese-claimed Taiwan, a free-wheeling democracy with little interest in being run by Beijing and which holds presidential elections in January.

 

There are also restive minorities in Tibet and heavily Muslim Xinjiang, where China has faced international opprobrium for detaining up to one million ethnic Uighurs in what China calls a de-radicalisation scheme.

 

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-10-01

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6 hours ago, webfact said:

The capital has been locked down for the parade. Police have told residents whose houses look onto the parade route warned not to look out their windows.

Another free and fair country....LOL

Technological progress ripped off from Silicone Valley. 

The Chicoms can't innovate. 

Will this be 'streamed' on a free channel ? Youtube maybe ?

 

Well Yes, CCTV has it on. Not in HD quality, pixelated like a porn movie , but looks like a wonderful time for those involved.

Edited October 1, 20196 yr by IAMHERE
spelling

Communism became a religion.

56 minutes ago, olfu said:

Communism became a religion.

Americans! Communism will soon be available at your local store.

Rest of the world to follow soon.

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

Will this be 'streamed' on a free channel ? Youtube maybe ?

 

Well Yes, CCTV has it on. Not in HD quality, pixelated like a porn movie , but looks like a wonderful time for those involved.

yes, here it is (was)   all 12 hours of it!!

in all their 'ummm'  glory on cctv4 

 

screenshot

wwitv pageshot

 

meanwhile... on the English Propaganda channel

https://youtu.be/eXFfQ9VF4pg?list=UUPLAYER_CCTVAmerica1

Edited October 1, 20196 yr by tifino

18 hours ago, olfu said:

Communism became a religion.

The only link to religion is the Peugh from their droppings left down the aisle... 

Tiananmen Square?

What is the point of having a show of force in Beijing? Who is suppose to see this non televised event?

28 minutes ago, timendres said:

Tiananmen Square?

Is that blood stain on their uniforms as a form of remembrance of 1989?

Judging by the comments here, none of you have ever lived in China, and only run on the stereotype of what Chinese people are really like. 

As for a show of force, nothing different than you would see in the West.

Stealing IP. Now that is very amusing!!! Countries all around the world use and develop technologies from elsewhere. So, why can't China.