China shows of military might in huge army parade
Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw a parade marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Xi, who was dressed in military camouflage, inspected 12,000 troops as well as nearly 600 pieces of China's most advanced weaponry at the remote Zhurihe military base in Inner Mongolia. In a speech, Xi said the PLA is capable of vanquishing "all invading enemies."
China showcases its latest weapons
The parade showcased China's military might, displaying weapon systems such as tanks, armored troop carriers, self-propelled howitzers and missiles. The nuclear-capable DF-31AG mobile intercontinental ballistic missile, an upgraded version of the DF-31A introduced in 2009, was also displayed for the first time.
Parade features flypast by indigenous J-20 stealth fighter
Over 100 aircraft participated in flypasts, including the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter. The indigenous J-20 is a potential rival to the US' advanced F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters The J-20's flypast is a sign that it's operational with the Chinese air force, giving it an advantage over neighboring countries such as India, which don't possess fifth-generation stealth fighters.
Xi is leader of world's largest army
The parade is aimed at reaffirming Xi's status as the leader of the 2 million-strong PLA, the world's largest army. In a speech, Xi told the PLA it should strictly follow the Communist Party of China's leadership and "march to wherever the Party points to." He said the world isn't peaceful and that the military could "defeat all invading enemies."
China attempts to demonstrate its superpower ambitions
The Chinese PLA's parade is a show of force that comes amid Beijing's attempts to emerge as a global superpower, marked by its competition with its neighbors and the US. This must be seen in the context of its assertive territorial claims in the South China and East China Sea, as well as India with whom China is locked in the bitter Sikkim standoff.
