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China's Military Parade: A Warning to Japan and the US
China's military parade is not only meant to "intimidate" Japan — it's a signal to the U.S. as well.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Countries around the world will commemorate the event with their own celebrations – including a May ceremony in Russia that is expected to be attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and even North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This week, China announced its own plans to commemorate the end of the war with a "grand military parade."
China typically holds a major military parade on every tenth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. The last parade came in 2009 under then-President Hu Jintao and incorporated 52 Chinese-made weapons systems, including cruise missiles, drones, and (flying overhead) fighter jets. The 70th anniversary of the end of World War II provides Xi a handy excuse to hold his own military parade without waiting another four years for the 70th anniversary of the PRC to roll around.
Back in 2009, an official from the National Day Military Parade Joint Command attempted to reassure observers that the public display of China's military might was not meant to intimidate anyone. "A country's military ability is not a threat to anyone; what is important is its military policy," he insisted. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying echoed this stance when asked about the 2015 military parade in Tuesday's press conference. "By hosting commemorative events with other counties, China is to awaken each and every virtuous man's desire for and commitment to peace, to refresh people's memory of the history and love for peace, and to showcase China's staunch position of upholding the victory of WWII and the post-war international order, and safeguarding world peace," Hua said.
One Chinese media report, however, is offering a different explanation. An online piece from People's Daily attempts to unravel the political significance of China for the first time holding a military parade not linked to the anniversary of the PRC founding. The very first reason? "To display China's military power." Military might is a crucial aspect of national strength, the piece explains, the necessary backing for both political chess matches and economic competition. Now that China has become a major player in the world's geopolitical scene, it's time for China to display its military power.
The second reason given by the People's Daily piece is the one receiving all the attention: "to intimidate Japan." The piece explains, "In recent years, backed by the U.S. return to Asia strategy for containing China, Japan's China policy has been more and more unrestrained"¦ Barring an unexpected occurrence, Japan is going to take further steps toward amending its pacifist constitution and pushing toward national normalization." The only way to stop this "insane attempt," the piece argues, is for China to show its own military might and demonstrate its determination not to allow Japan to change the post-war order.
To place this analysis in context, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent comments about the way he will frame his statement on the war have caused consternation in China. As the Asahi Shimbun reported Monday, Abe might omit certain expressions used in past apologies by former prime ministers Tomiichi Murayama and Junichiro Koizumi, focusing instead on Japan's "intentions for the future, such as what contribution Japan will make for the globe and what sort of world it will help to create." China immediately reacted with dismay; Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China would be paying close attention to see if Japan is "trying to deny or water down that part of history."
But as much as China's military parade might be a message to Japan, warning against historical revisionism, it's aimed even more at the U.S. Even the People's Daily piece gave a nod to this by repeating a commonly held view in China – that Japan is only causing problems because the U.S. seeks to use it to "contain" China. The parade is meant to convey the message that China has arrived militarily on the world stage. It now has the clout to back up its economic and political interests with force (as, it must be noted, a last resort).
Further adding geopolitical spice to the parade, Chinese media report that Russian President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to attend the parade. According to Chinese media reports, this will be the first time a foreign leader has ever attended such a military parade and the accompanying troop review ceremony. Just as U.S. President Barack Obama spent Monday watching a display of Indian military might, Putin will sit at Xi's side to watch the Chinese military strut its stuff. Talk about sending a geopolitical message.
China’s Military Parade: A Warning to Japan and the US | The Diplomat
The bon homie between India and the US and the focus on Pivot Asia has spooked China so badly that not only they have departed from norm of holding the parade every 10 years, but also has copycatted India of inviting a foreign leader to be the Chief Guest.China plans army parade with Putin as chief guest
Close on the heels of India inviting US President Barack Obama for its Republic Day parade, China on Tuesday announced plans to hold a major military parade and inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Departing from a practice of conducting such events once in a decade, China will hold the military parade this year in Beijing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victories of World War II, official media here reported. China will tighten security for the event, Fu Zhenghua, chief of the Beijing Public Security Bureau was quoted as saying by state run China-org.cn.
The Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed that Russian state leaders will attend the war commemoration, making this the first time that foreign state leaders will attend a Chinese military parade. President Vladimir Putin 8%is likely to be present at the event.
China usually holds a military parade every 10 years to celebrate the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The most recent parade was held in 2009.
China plans army parade with Putin as chief guest - The Times of India
This move by the US and India is being taken by China as a serious threat since Pivot Asia policy of the US is concretising as Japan and Australia are already on board. What is more worrisome to China is that South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines are would be willing partners to join the merry band. that will ruin China's free run and frolic in the South China Sea, Pacific and the Indian Ocean - a string of nettles so to say in the poetic way the Chinese couch their strategic projects. And Russia is not too keen of finding a Superpower on its Eastern South which has a glad eye on Russian properties in Russia's Far East.
China will now realise the sagacity of Bodhidharma - The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion.