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| All branches of the Chinese military were represented in the massive anniversary parade [AFP] |
China has been marking the 60th anniversary of communist rule with a show of military might in the form of a massive parade through central Beijing.
The parade - the biggest ever staged in China - formed the centrepiece of national celebrations marking the day in 1949 when Mao Zedong declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China.
Tight security was in place for Thursday's celebrations, with much of central Beijing under lockdown and many city residents ordered to stay indoors.
The parade was a showpiece event for China's communist leaders, designed to cement the continuation of their formula of continued one-party rule combined with rapid growth.
Delivering the keynote speech before the celebrations, Hu Jintao, China's president, reiterated what he said were the achievements of the past six decades.
"The 60 years of new China have proved that only socialism can save China," Hu said, dressed in a traditional Mao-style suit.
"We will unswervingly follow socialism with Chinese characteristics and comprehensively implement the ruling party's basic theory, basic line and basic programme."
After his address he reviewed rows of thousands of troops, riding past them in a black limousine and shouting repeatedly, "Hello comrades, hard-working comrades!"
Aside from the military parade, the Beijing celebrations also included a "civilian parade" with about 100,000 people taking part and including floats dedicated to, among others, China's space programme and last year's Beijing Olympics.
Fireworks display
Later on Thursday an evening fireworks display is also planned, which state media said would use twice the number of fireworks let off in the spectacular opening ceremony for last year's Olympic games.
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| Some of China's most advanced missiles were on display for the first time [AFP] |
But it was the weaponry that has drawn the most attention, with much of the military hardware on show being put on public display for the first time.
More than 50 new, domestically developed weapons systems were expected to be rolled out in a parade that will have been closely watched both domestically and by overseas intelligence officials.
According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the parade included China's latest cruise missiles and the country's "newest model of intercontinental nuclear-capable missiles".
The display also featured a fly-past by some of China's most advanced jet fighters, some of which were flown by China's first female fighter pilots.
Significant message
Rear Admiral Eric McVadon, a retired officer with the US navy and a consultant on East Asian security affairs, told Al Jazeera the presence of ballistic missiles and other advanced weapons on show carried a significant message.
"It's something that says to the world that China is a major emerging power and it has something to back up its word," he said.
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| China's president reviewed the parade dressed in a traditional Mao suit [AFP] |
In the run-up to the anniversary, authorities ramped up security, deploying heavily armed police on street junctions backed up by armoured patrol cars.
Sales of knives were banned in Beijing stores and even kite flying was barred in the city as a precaution against aerial hazards.
During the parade, flights at Beijing's main airport were grounded, while city residents living near the parade route were told not to go out on balconies to watch, and to stock up on food in case they had to be barred from leaving their homes.
In the weeks leading up to the celebrations, rights groups said several prominent dissidents and activists were either placed under tightened surveillance or jailed as authorities sought to ensure there would be nothing to tarnish the event.
"The Chinese government wants to celebrate the country's success while ensuring that no dissenting view or complaint is heard," Roseann Rife, Amnesty International Asia Pacific's deputy director, said.
"As a result, what the Chinese government is highlighting is its own fear of giving the Chinese people a real voice to talk about the reality of their lives, good and bad."
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