In Pictures: China commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II

China today marked the 70th Anniversary of what it calls "the Victory of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War" in Beijing with an elaborately impressive parade in Tiananmen Square. The parade featured the People's Liberation Army and highlighted China's military might. Despite the scale of the event, major Western leaders have stayed away from the show.

Updated

Published

Sep 03, 2015, 06:20 PM

Balloons being released at Tiananmen Square at the end of the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

Military helicopters flying in formation over Chinese soldiers on Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy soldiers on their armoured vehicles carrying ship-to-air missiles roll to Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers on their armoured vehicles equipped with anti-aircraft artillery roll to Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) talks with former president Jiang Zemin during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing, China on Sept 3, 2015. To Mr Jiang's left is former president Hu Jintao. PHOTO: REUTERS

An aerial view of Tiananmen Square showing the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) chats with China's President Xi Jinping (right) next to South Korea's President Park Geun Hye on Tiananmen Gate during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

An aerial view of Tiananmen Square showing the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

Military aircraft forming the number 70 during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

A formation of military airplanes, one KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft (left) and eight J-10 multirole fighter jets, fly over the Central Business District (CBD) area during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept 3, 2015, to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. PHOTO: AFP

A formation of military airplanes, consisting of one KJ-2000 aircraft and eight J-10 fighter jets, fly past the central business area (CBD) of Beijing during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

A picture released by Xinhua News Agency shows soldiers marching in Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept 3, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.