China "does not seek hegemony" and promotes peace. On the day of the blockbuster parade to commemorate the end of the Second World War, this is the message launched by President Xi Jinping announcing: China will reduce the People's Liberation Army by a further 300 soldiers. China "however strong it becomes" will never "seek hegemony" over other countries. "The experience of war - underlined Xi - pushes people to give peace an even greater value". Bag closed and three days of celebrations to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the return to peace.
The purpose of the commemoration - which will see 12 soldiers and some of China's most modern weapons parade through the streets of Beijing - is officially to "remember history, honor those who sacrificed their lives, love peace and open up to the future". Before the start of the fashion show, Xi, flanked by his wife Peng Liyuan, received the foreign guests. Many Western defections but Russian President Vladimir Putin was present with other Eastern guests: the South Korean Park Geun-hye and the UN secretary Ban Ki-moon. No Western country has sent heads of state or government to Beijing due to the territorial disputes that China has with Southeast Asian countries and Japan. Italy is represented by the foreign minister, Paolo Gentiloni.
