China is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War with a grand gathering and a military parade. Both events will take place on September 3 in Tian'anmen Square, located in downtown Beijing. President Xi Jinping, who also serves as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is slated to attend the gathering and deliver a significant speech.

A key highlight of the commemoration will be the military parade, during which President Xi Jinping will review the participating troops. This parade is designed to showcase various combat forces through marching formations, armored columns, and aerial echelons. It will also feature the display of new types of combat equipment, including advanced unmanned and intelligent systems, underscoring China's modern military capabilities.

Adding a unique dimension to the parade, Chinese troops with prior UN peacekeeping experiences will participate. According to Wu Zeke, a senior officer of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, this inclusion serves a dual purpose: to solemnly commemorate the historic victory and to demonstrate China's unwavering commitment to fulfilling international obligations and safeguarding global peace. Wu elaborated on China's extensive contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, noting that over the past 35 years, the Chinese military has deployed more than 50,000 peacekeepers to over 20 countries and regions, undertaking 26 UN peacekeeping missions. Tragically, 17 Chinese servicemembers have made the ultimate sacrifice in their pursuit of world peace.

Chinese peacekeepers have consistently shown remarkable courage and professionalism in diverse and challenging environments, including armed conflicts, pandemic outbreaks, and natural disasters. Their operations span a wide range of critical tasks, from mine clearance and ceasefire monitoring to security patrols and emergency rescue operations. Wu emphasized that these efforts highlight the Chinese military's steadfast role as a force dedicated to maintaining world peace and stability.