AFP image
Beijing:
China's famous Tiananmen Square looked deserted on Wednesday, just 24 hours before the Communist country unveils its never before seen military might at a grand military parade.
As China prepares to celebrate 60 years as a Communist republic on Thursday, the world can expect a towering display of its military might -- to show that the dragon is getting ready to roar.
Senior commanders say several missiles with previously undisclosed technologies would be on display. They would include an indigenously developed fighter jet, a land-based cruise missile and nuclear-capable intercontinental missiles.
It's the first time that China will display missiles capable of hitting targets as far as America -- a clear sign that Beijing no longer believes in the old dictum, 'hide your capability, bide your time'.
Rehearsals in the past few weeks have included jets and helicopters flying in formation over the city. And downtown Beijing has been virtually closed on Wednesday in preparation for the big event on Thursday.
President Hu Jintao is expected to deliver an important message before the parade starts.
A year after successful staging the Olympics and weathering the economic crisis, this is China's big moment to show off its military might and rising economic status and take its rightful place on the international stage.
As China prepares to celebrate 60 years as a Communist republic on Thursday, the world can expect a towering display of its military might -- to show that the dragon is getting ready to roar.
Senior commanders say several missiles with previously undisclosed technologies would be on display. They would include an indigenously developed fighter jet, a land-based cruise missile and nuclear-capable intercontinental missiles.
It's the first time that China will display missiles capable of hitting targets as far as America -- a clear sign that Beijing no longer believes in the old dictum, 'hide your capability, bide your time'.
Rehearsals in the past few weeks have included jets and helicopters flying in formation over the city. And downtown Beijing has been virtually closed on Wednesday in preparation for the big event on Thursday.
President Hu Jintao is expected to deliver an important message before the parade starts.
A year after successful staging the Olympics and weathering the economic crisis, this is China's big moment to show off its military might and rising economic status and take its rightful place on the international stage.
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