The flag-guarding echelon flies over Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Su Dong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The march-past of the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War began in Beijing on Wednesday.

An air echelon flew over Tian'anmen Square, escorting flags of the Communist Party of China, the People's Republic of China, and the People's Liberation Army.

Another air echelon, consisting of 26 helicopters, followed in a formation that formed huge numerical shapes of 8 and 0, symbolizing the 80th anniversary of the victory.

Three helicopters flew by with banners that respectively read "Justice prevails", "Peace prevails" and "The people prevail."

PLA guards of honor formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guards of Honor formation marched through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade, escorting flags of the Party, the nation and the PLA.

The guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

PLA Army formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The Army formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's military parade.

The formation is composed of service members with expertise across a range of military specialties, including armor, infantry, artillery, air defense, reconnaissance, security, maintenance, and vehicle operation.

PLA Navy formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy marched through Tian'anmen Square in China's V-Day military parade on Wednesday.

PLA Air Force formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

The formation is composed of an Air Force unit whose predecessor took part in major battles led by the Communist Party of China during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

PLA Rocket Force formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The formation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force marched past Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday morning in China's V-Day military parade.

The Rocket Force, renamed from the Second Artillery Force in December 2015, is the core force of China's strategic deterrence.

PLA's aerospace, cyberspace, information support forces debut in parade

BEIJING-- The People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force and Information Support Force made its debut in Wednesday's V-Day military parade through Tian'anmen Square.

Armed Police Force formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The formation of the People's Armed Police Force passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's military parade.

The PLA's four service formations, four arm formations and the formation of the Armed Police Force held their respective flags, making a group debut during the parade.

Hero units' banner formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

The banner formation showcased 80 honorary banners of the hero units of the resistance war against Japanese aggression in Wednesday's V-Day parade, bearing the glory from the past.

China showcases new-generation tanks in V-Day parade

A ground assault formation consisting of new-generation armored vehicles of the PLA Army, including Type-100 tanks and Type-100 fighting vehicles, passed through Tian'anmen Square.

China showcases long-range artillery at V-Day parade

A long-range artillery formation passed through Tian'anmen Square in China's V-Day parade. The two types of 191 long-range box-shaped rocket artillery can carry out battle-level strikes and tactical support, which expand the boundaries of ground combat.

China unveils carrier-based air defense weapons at V-Day parade

Four types of carrier-based air defense equipment made an appearance at China's V-Day parade, which compose a multi-layered system for air defense covering all ranges.

Hypersonic anti-ship missiles debut in China's V-Day parade

China's hypersonic anti-ship missiles, including YingJi-19, YingJi-17 and YingJi-20, passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day parade. The formation also included YingJi-15 missile.

China showcases air defense weaponry in V-Day parade

A series of China's air defense weapons, including HongQi-20, HongQi-19 and HongQi-29, made an appearance in China's V-Day military parade on Wednesday.

These systems are capable of multi-phase and multi-layered missile interception, as well as air defense at long, medium and short ranges.

China's anti-UAV systems appear in V-Day parade

China showcased its anti-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems in Wednesday's V-Day parade. The formation included an anti-UAV missile-gun integrated system, high-energy laser weapons, and high-power microwave weapons.

The three types of weapons form the powerful "trio" in the PLA's anti-UAV system.

China unveils cyberspace warfare equipment in V-Day parade

China unveiled its cyberspace warfare equipment in Wednesday's V-Day parade. The four types of equipment being reviewed can consolidate cyber defense, and empower all-domain operations.

China unveils electronic countermeasures in V-Day parade

China showcased electronic countermeasures in Wednesday's V-Day parade. The five types of electronic countermeasure equipment included in the formation are capable of aerial and space defense and countermeasures, and disconnecting enemy networks and breaking digital chains.

Information support formation passes through Tian'anmen Square

China's information support equipment was unveiled in Wednesday's V-Day military parade. The formation included vehicles of cloud computing, digital intelligence, air-ground networks, and integrated information. They can quickly establish new types of cyber systems to support joint operations.

China unveils new types of unmanned maritime weapons in V-Day parade

Sea-based unmanned warfare equipment, including China's new-type unmanned underwater vehicle, boat and mine-laying system, made an appearance in Wednesday's V-Day parade.

China unveils advanced drones in parade

China's reconnaissance-and-strike drones, wingman drones, and unmanned ship-based helicopters passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade

The weapons can carry out stealth assaults, cover a wide range, and collaborate autonomously.

China unveils cruise missiles in parade

China unveiled ChangJian-20A, YingJi-18C, and ChangJian-1000 cruise missiles in Wednesday's V-Day military parade to showcase long-range precise strike and multi-domain deterrence capabilities.

It is the first time the cruise missiles of the PLA Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force units form a joint formation in a parade.

China exhibits hypersonic missiles in parade

China's hypersonic missiles with all-weather combat capabilities -- YingJi-21, DongFeng-17, and DongFeng-26D -- passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

China unveils nuclear triad for first time in parade

China unveiled its land-, sea-, and air-based strategic forces as the nuclear triad for the first time in Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

The triad included JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, DongFeng-61 land-based intercontinental missile, and a new type DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missile.

The weapons are China's strategic "ace" power to safeguard the country's sovereignty and the nation's dignity.

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

China unveils nuclear missiles with global reach in parade

China's liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles DongFeng-5C, which have a global strike range, passed through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

Early-warning, command aircraft echelons fly over Tian'anmen Square in parade

Early-warning aircraft KongJing-500A, escorted by J-16 fighter jets, and KongJing-600, escorted by aircraft carrier-based fighter jets J-15T, flew over Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

Strategic bombers fly over Tian'anmen Square in parade

China's strategic bombers H-6N flew over Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

Also showcased in the parade were H-6K and H-6J. These bombers are the PLA's air-based long-range strike forces.

Fighter jets fly over Tian'anmen Square in parade

China's fighter jets J-16D, J-20, J-35A, J-20S, and J-20A flew over Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade in two V-formations.

Carrier-based fighter jets fly over Tian'anmen Square in parade

China's carrier-based fighter jets J-15DH, J-15DT, J-35 and J-15T flew over Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade in two V-formations.

China concludes V-Day parade with aerobatic echelon

Seven J-10 aerobatic jets flew over Tian'anmen Square to mark the end of Wednesday's V-Day military parade.

The echelon staged an aerial display of 14 colored smoke trails, symbolizing the 14 years of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the bright prospects of 1.4 billion Chinese people striving for national rejuvenation.

The trainer aircraft echelon attends a parade during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Du Lianyi/chinadaily.com.cn]