Shanghai, September 7 (Gasgoo.com) Hundreds of military vehicles, including tanks and missile carriers, rolled down one of Beijing's main streets yesterday to rehearse a parade marking the 60th anniversary of New China's founding, media reported.
Tanks and military trucks, some carrying long missiles, followed one another down Chang'an Jie, the avenue that crosses the heart of the Chinese capital of Beijing, toward Tiananmen Square, an AFP reporter witnessed.
China is planning a parade, song and dance performances, and fireworks on October 1 to mark the day when revolutionary leader Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 at Tiananmen Square.
Beams from powerful spotlights spun in the sky over the square last night as traffic around the city centre ground to a halt and thousands of onlookers watched from a distance the vehicles progressing slowly.
China will display a range of new military vehicles and missiles during the National Day parade, including new-energy vehicles. Chinese President Hu Jintao is expected to ride an all-new Hongqi (Red Flag) sedan to inspect the grand military parade.
In the past several weeks, China has deployed thousands of extra police to monitor vehicles entering and leaving the city.
