The second comprehensive rehearsal for the upcoming grand event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War concluded early Sunday in Beijing, as reported by the event's media center.
The city is preparing for a significant military parade scheduled for September 3. The latest rehearsal took place on August 16 and finished at 3.30am on August 17, involving approximately 40,000 participants and support staff.
Footage circulating online showed numerous military transport vehicles navigating Beijing's streets, presumably transporting parade equipment.
State news agency Xinhua noted that this rehearsal covered a broader area and had a longer duration than the previous one held last Saturday.
It also incorporated additional elements and phases, including the commemorative ceremony and the processes for assembly and dispersal, all executed in an orderly manner and achieving the intended objectives.
Security measures intensified starting from noon on August 16 around Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People area. By the evening, access to roads around Chang'an Avenue was restricted to pedestrians and vehicles holding special event permits.
Parking restrictions were imposed on bicycles and electric bikes in the vicinity until the morning of August 17. Furthermore, key cultural sites such as the Forbidden City and the National Museum of China were closed to the public starting yesterday afternoon.
Beijing residents have captured striking images of what appears to be China's next-generation medium tank during preparations for an upcoming military parade.
The armored vehicle, weighing approximately 40 tons and believed to lead the procession, has drawn significant attention for its sophisticated defensive systems that appear to borrow concepts from naval warfare.
The tank's most notable feature is its revolutionary protection system, which analysts suggest adopts an "Aegis Combat System"-style approach similar to advanced naval defense systems.
Four phased array radars positioned around the hull provide comprehensive 360-degree threat detection, working in coordination with a laser warning system to create a robust early-warning network.
Military experts have particularly noted the tank's advanced Active Protection System (APS), with two quad launchers mounted on the turret designed to intercept incoming missiles and drones.
The system's elevated firing arc represents a thoughtful improvement, specifically enhancing its capability to counter modern threats like top-attack missiles and low-altitude drones.
The vehicle also features an automated weapon station equipped with optical and laser targeting, suggesting strong anti-drone capabilities against slower unmanned aerial vehicles.
However, defense analysts remain cautious about whether this system could effectively withstand swarm-style saturation attacks, which have become an increasingly prevalent tactic in contemporary warfare.
