China puts up a grand show to celebrate its 70th National Day, protests continue across Hong Kong
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) today, i.e., Tuesday, October 1, 2019, staged a massive military parade in Beijing on the occasion of its 70th founding anniversary, also known as the National Day.
The President of China – Xi Jinping inspected more than 15,000 troops, more than 160 aircraft and 580 weapon systems in a ceremony which demonstrated China’s ever-growing military might.
The helicopters flew national flags across the sky and an aircraft flew in formation to create a ‘70’ resembling the 70th National Day. This was followed by a large round of cheer from the jubilant crowd who started waving Chinese flags in jubilation.
Standing in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong, the Founding Father of PRC declared the founding of the country on October 1, 1949, Xi delivered an 8 minutes speech which highlighted the milestones achieved by the Communist Party of China in the last 70 years. Besides, Xi also pledged to achieve his vision of a “Chinese Dream” of national rejuvenation and global prominence.
Dressed in a Mao suit, Xi Jinping said, “No force can shake the status of our great motherland, and no force can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation from marching forward.”
He further added, “The People’s Liberation Army [PLA] will serve its purpose in safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country, and world peace.”
During his speech, he talked about uplifting the country from the humiliation it suffered under the Qing Dynasty, amid invasion by colonial powers including the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Japan. He also spoke on the growing protests in Hong Kong over the now abandoned Extradition Bill. He urged the people of his country that China must remain committed to the strategy of peaceful reinforcement of one country two systems.
“We will maintain long-term stability of Hong Kong and Macao, the development of cross-strait relations, and continue to strive for the complete unification of the country,” Xi said.
One of the biggest highlight of the parade was the first public appearance of the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, which is by far the most powerful missile on the planet. China also paraded its underwater vehicles including what could be its first undersea drone. It also showcased a range of stealth drones. One of the drone, DR-8, can fly up to 5 times the speed of sound.
Another key highlight was the giant JL-2 submarine missile, which is the main weapon aboard China’s Jin-class fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
The military parade which lasted 80 minutes, was followed by colourful citizens march with 100,000 people, 70 floats and 36 formations organized around the themes of founding of a nation, reform and opening up, and great rejuvenation.
The high-profile military dominated parade showcased Xi as the most powerful leader since Mao. It gains significance because China is locked in a trade war with the United States (U.S.), which refuses to settle down. Besides, the anti-Chinese protests in Hong Kong also appear threatening to the image of Xi.
Hours after Xi’s speech, several roads in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district were blocked as more than 1,000 people took to streets in an unauthorized protest march. There are reports of Hong Kong Police using pepper spray and water cannon with blue dye, to disperse the demonstrators. The protest which started 17 weeks earlier, is getting worse every week. According to the local police, the protests are moving one step closer to terrorism.
It is to be noted that the Chief Executive of Hong Kong – Carrie Lam was also present in Beijing today as China celebrated its 70th Founding Day.
