Beijing Concludes Massive Drill Ahead of 80th Anniversary of China’s Victory Over Japanese Aggression, Showcasing High‑Tech Logistics and Political Messaging.

The drill was more elaborate than the first rehearsal held a week earlier, adding a series of additional “环节” – stages such as a full‑scale commemorative ceremony, coordinated assembly of troops, and a tightly timed evacuation of the crowd. Organizers said each element unfolded in a “orderly and interconnected” manner, allowing officials to evaluate the robustness of the command structure and the logistical framework that will underpin the main events slated for later in August.

“This rehearsal has confirmed that our command system and organizational support can handle the scale and complexity of the upcoming national ceremony,” a senior official from the Ministry of National Defense told reporters at a press briefing. While the identity of individual leaders overseeing the drill was not disclosed, the operation was clearly directed by high‑level coordination between the People’s Liberation Army, the Beijing municipal government and the National Defense Mobilization Department.

Beyond the logistics, the rehearsal carried a pronounced political resonance. The 80th anniversary commemorates not only China’s own struggle against Japanese invasion from 1937 to 1945, but also its role in the broader Allied effort against fascism—a narrative that the Chinese government has emphasized in recent diplomatic messaging. The inclusion of digital‑twin technology – a virtual replica of historic battlefields and ceremony venues – allowed planners to simulate crowd movement and visual effects, underscoring a modern, high‑tech presentation of a wartime memory.

The timing of the drill also dovetails with a symbolic milestone: 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, an institution that emerged from the ashes of World War II and whose charter China helped shape. By linking the two anniversaries, Beijing is framing its historical remembrance within a broader narrative of global peacebuilding and multilateral cooperation, a theme that has featured prominently in President Xi Jinping’s recent speeches on “building a community of shared future for mankind.”

Preparing a city the size of Beijing for such a spectacle required extensive preparatory work. Six days before the drill, traffic controls were tightened and several subway stations around the capital were temporarily closed, causing noticeable disruption to daily commuters. Local news outlets reported that the restrictions were lifted shortly after the rehearsal concluded, and social‑media chatter on platforms like Weibo reflected a largely positive tone. Users praised the seamless execution and expressed pride in the nation’s ability to organize a complex, large‑scale event without incident.

Analysts note that large national celebrations often stimulate activity in sectors such as security, logistics and media. While no immediate economic impact has been quantified, the surge in demand for temporary infrastructure, security equipment and broadcast services suggests a short‑term boost for firms tied to state‑run event production.

The broader diplomatic subtext of the rehearsal aligns with China’s current foreign‑policy posture, which it frames as a steadfast opposition to aggression and a commitment to upholding world peace. By spotlighting the anti‑Japanese war—a struggle framed as part of the global fight against fascism—Beijing reinforces its claim to a moral leadership role on the world stage, a stance that resonates in its voting patterns at the United Nations and its rhetoric surrounding international security.

Public sentiment, at least as captured by the prevailing chatter on Chinese social media, appears supportive. Posts highlighted the impressive scale of the rehearsal, the meticulous coordination among different agencies and the patriotic overtones of remembering a defining chapter in Chinese history. Critics, who normally surface in the wake of large state‑organized events, were notably muted, likely reflecting both the controlled media environment and the resonance of the anniversary’s themes among the population.

With the drill now completed, the final phase of preparations turns to the main ceremonies scheduled for later this month. The official program will culminate in a grand ceremony at Tiananmen Square, featuring military parades, cultural performances and speeches by senior leaders. Observers both within and outside China will be watching closely, not only for the pageantry but also for the messages the Chinese state seeks to convey about its historical legacy, its current strategic priorities and its vision for a world order shaped by peace and cooperation.