Scenes from the edges of parade

'Victory never comes easily

CHINA DAILY Chen Nan REPORTER

I was sitting in the western stands in front of the Tian'anmen Rostrum at about 6 am as dawn broke and the square was immersed in soft sunlight.

Hours later, the victory parade would start, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

As I stared at Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world, it seemed more spacious than in full daylight. And suddenly I experienced deja vu.

Back in 1999, a military parade was held on Oct 1 to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of New China. As a Beijing native who was born in a traditional courtyard and who grew up in hutong, I was chosen as one of the members of a student team to parade across Chang'an Avenue and pass Tian'anmen Square. I was 15 then. After two months of parade training, we were very excited about that day.

Sixteen years later, as a journalist covering Thursday's grand national event, I felt not only excitement but also pride as a witness to the country's huge political and economic progress, its military might and the joy of its people.

Earlier, I interviewed members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Chorus who performed at Thursday's parade. It was made up of 1,200 students selected from military schools around China who had rehearsed for hours under the sizzling afternoon sun. They were young, ambitious and eager to join in the ceremonies.

What impressed me most were the veteran soldiers who made contributions to the country during wartime. Most of them were over 90 years of age, but they virtually shined in their wartime uniforms. They made history.

At the end of the parade, thousands of colorful balloons and white doves flew above Tian'anmen Square. An elderly woman sitting in front me said: "Victory never comes easily."