Beijing Stages 22,000‑Strong Drill Ahead of 80th WWII Victory Parade, Highlighting PLA Modernization and Patriotic Fervor

The purpose of the exercise was straightforward: to fine‑tune the coordination of every element that will be called upon during the solemn ceremony and the grand military parade scheduled for Sept. 3. Organisers said the drill incorporated a memorial ceremony, logistical run‑throughs and command‑and‑control tests, and that it concluded “in an orderly manner and achieved the expected goals.” Beijing municipal officials thanked citizens for their “understanding and support,” a phrase that echoed through official releases and social‑media posts alike.

Chinese netizens on Weibo responded with an outpouring of patriotism. Posts praising the “professionalism and power of the People’s Liberation Army” were peppered with slogans such as “这不是复制粘贴这是中国军人” – “This is not copy‑pasting, this is Chinese soldiers” – and “抗战胜利80周年” (“80th anniversary of the victory”). Many users described being moved to tears by videos that paired archival footage of World War II‑era martyrs with AI‑generated dialogues that imagined conversations across time, sharing the hashtag #网友用AI与先烈跨时空对话# (“Netizens use AI to have a cross‑time‑and‑space conversation with martyrs”). The emotional resonance, the reports noted, underscores how the war of resistance continues to be a touchstone for collective memory.

Beyond the raw numbers, the drill showcased three “characteristics” identified by observers: a narrative of historical continuity, the display of a modernised PLA, and the integration of new‑domain combat forces equipped with domestically produced hardware. While most of the equipment remained off‑stage during the rehearsal, planners have confirmed that every vehicle and weapon that will appear in the September parade is home‑grown, underscoring the government’s push to highlight self‑reliance in defence technology.

Analysts see multiple layers of significance in the event. Politically, the massive rehearsal serves as a vivid reminder of national unity and the Communist Party’s role in steering China through what it terms the “World Anti‑Fascist War.” By broadcasting a disciplined, high‑tech military spectacle, Beijing sends a subtle deterrence signal to regional rivals and to a global audience watching a continent where strategic tensions are heightened. The timing also dovetails with Beijing’s broader diplomatic narrative that stresses historical justice – a theme that resurfaces whenever Japan’s wartime legacy is invoked.

Societally, the drill appears to have bolstered public morale. The sheer scale of participation and the smooth execution convey a sense of competence that many citizens associate with national strength. For younger generations, the rehearsal and the forthcoming parade act as a living history lesson, reinforcing an official version of the past that emphasizes sacrifice, resilience and triumph. Critics, however, warn that the dominance of a single narrative may limit open discourse about the war’s complexities.

The operation also highlights the logistical prowess of China’s security and event‑management sectors. Coordinating 22,000 personnel, securing the iconic square and synchronising communications required an intricate web of transportation, supply‑chain and technology services. State media, particularly CCTV, amplified the rehearsal across television and online platforms, demonstrating how tightly integrated the communication apparatus is in shaping public perception.

Looking ahead, the September 3 parade is expected to be the most lavish in recent memory, featuring a full complement of main battle tanks, artillery and aircraft, all proudly labelled “Made in China.” If the rehearsal is any indication, the event will combine traditional marching formations with showcases of cyber, space and unmanned capabilities, reinforcing the PLA’s message that the forces which repelled the Japanese invaders a century ago have evolved into a modern, multi‑domain warfighting machine.

In short, the Tiananmen Square drill was more than a dry technical run. It was a carefully choreographed performance that stitched together history, national pride, military modernization and state messaging into a single, night‑long tableau. As the country prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of a war that helped shape its destiny, the rehearsal offers a window into how China chooses to remember the past while projecting its aspirations for the future.