Soldiers prepare for the commemoration activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang)
BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 70 gun salutes kicked off the grand celebration in central Beijing Thursday morning to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The ceremony was observed by President Xi Jinping as well as other Chinese and foreign leaders and celebrities on Tian'anmen Rostrum, north to the square.
On Sept. 2, 1945, Japan officially surrendered to the Allied aboard the USS Missouri and seven days later to then Chinese government in eastern Chinese city of Nanjing.
In 1951 the government of People's Republic of China decided to set Sept. 3 as the victory day of China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression, and in 2014 the country's top legislature ratified it as a national memorial day.
Amid the thunders of 56 saluting guns placed in the southern part of the square, 196 guards in olive green uniforms escorted the national flag on a red carpet from the platform of the Monument to the People's Heroes in the square center northward to the national flag post.
The red flag with five yellow stars was unfurled against the clear sky over the square while 2,400 members of a military band and chorus played and sang the national anthem.
China's national anthem, known as "March of the Volunteers," was first composed in 1935 to inspire national morale against Japanese invasion into northeast China. The song won huge popularity during the WWII.
The highlight of the celebration will be a military parade attended by about 12,000 servicemen and women, WWII veterans and nearly 1,000 foreign troops from 17 other countries. It will also showcase China's latest weaponry.
Before the parade formally begins, President Xi will review the troops.
Japan invaded northeast China in September 1931, followed by a full-scale invasion that started on July 7, 1937. Around 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or injured during the Japanese occupation, which continued until 1945.
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