BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's military aircraft to fly over the Chang'an Avenue and Tian'anmen Square as part of a military parade took off from their bases Thursday morning and headed for the center stage of China's National Day celebration in downtown Beijing.

    All the 151 fighters, bombers, helicopters and other types of military planes, led by an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) aircraft, Kongjing-2000, will meet at their rendezvous point to build up 12 aerial formations.

    The aircraft to perform the air show are selected from the People's Liberation Army's air force, naval aviation and army aviation.

    Following the giant AEWC aircraft formations, the air force's J-10, multirole third-generation fighter aircraft designed and manufactured with China's indigenous technology, are part of the air squadrons.

    Female fighter pilots for the first time join in the National Day parade, flying 15 jet aircraft at the end of the air formation.

Troops ready for National Day parade

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of crisp-uniformed Chinese servicemen and women, tanks, armored personnel carriers and missiles assembled along the Chang'an Avenue in downtown Beijing Thursday morning, ready for a once-in-a-decade grand parade.

    The military parade, centerpiece of the celebration marking the60th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China, will showcase China's achievements in national defense and military modernization over the past six decades. Full story

Int'l press on Tian'anmen Square to cover China's National Day celebrations

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of overseas reporters gathered Thursday morning at Tian'anmen Square to cover the well-prepared celebrations marking the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

    Alongside the Chang'an Avenue, reporters had their cameras erected and many were busy interviewing participants to the event. Full story

Hundreds of thousands swarm into Tian'anmen Square for National Day celebration

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- About 200,000 soldiers and civilians gather on Tian'anmen Square and alongside Chang'an Avenue Thursday morning to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

    Most of them are participants of a military parade and a civilian pageant, slated for 10:00 o'clock in the morning. Full story

Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC