China marks 70 years of Communist rule, Xi Jinping says 'no force can shake the country'

Beijing : On Tuesday, when China celebrated 70 years of Communist rule, President Xi Jinping declared that no force can shake the country as a military parade was showcased.

Around 15,000 troops along with tanks, missiles and high-tech drones paraded down the Avenue of Eternal Peace as Xi and other Communist Party leaders watched from a rostrum overlooking Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

The theme of the event was to showcase how China emerged from a poor war torned nation to the world's second largest economy.

Xi, who wore the distinctive “Mao suit”, delivered a speech invoking the “Chinese dream” of national rejuvenation - his grand vision of restoring the country to perceived past glory.

"There is no force that can shake the foundation of this great nation,” Xi said from the Tiananmen rostrum where Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

"No force that can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation forging ahead,” the country’s most powerful leader since Mao said before reviewing troops in an open-roof car.

The People’s Liberation Army brought out its newest pieces of hardware, including the DF-41, a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile with range enough to reach the entire United States, and the DF-17, a launcher for a hypersonic glider.

The event was held under tight security with road closures and a complete ban on flying kites on the day. Infact, the access to the Beijing parade was also restricted by the police turning away crowd lining up with flags in hope to see the parade.

The screening of the parade was organized at several theatres.

The military show of force was followed by a pageant involving 100,000 civilians and 70 floats depicting China’s greatest achievements. Organisers will release 70,000 doves and 70,000 balloons before an evening performance and fireworks in Tiananmen.