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銆€銆€All the troops and equipment for China's massive National Day celebrations on Oct. 1 in Beijing were ready for the final showcase after four months of preparations and rehearsals, a spokesman at the joint headquarters for the military parade said Wednesday.
銆€銆€Maj.-Gen. Gao Jianguo said at a press conference that all the weapon systems to be shown in the parade were domestically produced hardware.
銆€銆€The once-in-a-decade military display involving about 5,000 personnel, tanks, missile-carrying vehicles and more than 150 aircraft began preparations and training in several military bases on Beijing's outskirts in May.
銆€銆€The spokesman said that after a dress rehearsal last Friday night in which the soldiers marched in front of Tian'anmen Square on Chang'an Avenue, the ground formations were ready for the 66-minute parade.
銆€銆€At 11:00 a.m. Monday, 151 aircraft, some trailing colorful smoke, roared through the air over the square in the only rehearsal for the parade's aircraft formations, attracting the attention of residents.
銆€銆€Although not giving a specific amount for the parade's total cost, Gao said that its organization and operation have been conducted in a cost-effective way.
銆€銆€"The designing and planning of the parade are realized by computer simulation with the aid of three-dimensional software to improve efficiency and reduce costs," Gao said.
銆€銆€"All the uniforms and weapons used in training and the final parade are in active service," he added.
銆€銆€Gao also dismissed the allegation that a powerful military capacity shown by the high-profile parade might worry China's neighboring countries, saying that holding a military parade on major festivals is an international practice.
銆€銆€"The parade will embody China's economic and technological progress with new achievements in the modernization of its national defense," Gao said.
銆€銆€"Whether a country's military power would raise threats to other nations depends on the nature of the country's defense policies," he explained.
銆€銆€This echoes what President Hu Jintao said in a meeting with foreign naval commanders this April that China would never seek hegemony, an arms race or military expansion now and in the future, and would adhere to its long-claimed defensive strategy on nuclear weapons, the spokesman added.
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