China puts on huge show of force at parade; President Xi Jinping says troop levels will be cut by 300,000

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China will cut its number of troops by 300,000, as he kicked off a massive military parade marking 70 years since the end of World War Two in Asia.

China will always go down the path of peaceful development, Xi added, speaking on a rostrum overlooking Tiananmen Square. The comments were carried live on state television.

This is part of efforts by the PLA which operate with annual defence budget of USD 145 bullion, the second highest after US to streamline its force as it launched unprecedented modernisation with new weapons and technology.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) which was 4.5 million strong till 1980 was first resized to three million in 1985 and later to 2.3 million.

The cut of three lakh troops comes in the back drop of massive anti corruption drive being conducted by Xi who, beside being the President, is also the chief of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the head of the military.

About 40 high ranking military officials including two former Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC) are facing anti-corruption probes in an unprecedented revamping of the army.

Displaying its military might, including powerful long range missiles and new carrier aircraft, China on Thursday held a massive military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory against Japan in the World War II at the sprawling Tiananmen Square here.

Troops from 17 countries, including Pakistan and Russia, formed part of 1000 foreign soldiers who took part in China's first military parade aimed at highlighting the excesses committed by Japanese troops against Chinese in the WW II in which according Chinese historians over 20 million people were killed, eight million forced into labour and thousands of women held as sex slaves.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Russia President Vladimir Putin were among 30 world leaders who attended the parade besides special envoys of governments which included India's Minister of State for External Affairs General V K Singh.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, his wife Peng Liyuan received the foreign leaders ahead of the parade Singh, who took part in the reception held by Xi here last night for the visiting dignitaries, will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

About 12,000 servicemen and women, 1000 foreign troops took part in the colourful parade.

Besides deputing a 75 member military contingent to take part in the parade, Pakistan is represented by its President Mamnoon Hussain and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashad.

More than 40,000 spectators, including Chinese officials, citizens and foreign guests took part in the event which was held under massive security blanket.

China has displayed 84% of its new weapons including long, medium range missiles, aircraft and tanks which were indigenously developed, according to the military.

The highlight of the parade was display of more than 500 pieces of China's latest weaponry as well as nearly 200 aircraft of about 20 different models.

Nearly 1,000 foreign troops from 17 countries including Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Pakistan, Serbia, Tajikistan and Russia took part.

A 2,400-member military band and chorus performed classic songs well known in the war, including the song "Safeguard the Yellow River" from the Yellow River Cantata, composed in 1939 it inspired numerous Chinese in the dark moments.

(With inputs from Reuters and PTI)