BEIJING -- The march-past of the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War began in Beijing on Wednesday.

A flag-guarding echelon attends a parade during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Du Lianyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

An air echelon flew over Tian'anmen Square, escorting flags of the Communist Party of China, the People's Republic of China, and the People's Liberation Army.

Another air echelon, consisting of 26 helicopters, followed in a formation that formed huge numerical shapes of 8 and 0, symbolizing the 80th anniversary of the victory.

The flag-guarding echelon flies over Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Su Dong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Three helicopters flew by with banners that respectively read "Justice prevails", "Peace prevails" and "The people prevail."

PLA guards of honor formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

BEIJING -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guards of Honor formation marched through Tian'anmen Square in Wednesday's V-Day military parade, escorting flags of the Party, the nation and the PLA.

The guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Hero units' banner formation marches through Tian'anmen Square

BEIJING -- The banner formation showcased 80 honorary banners of the hero units of the resistance war against Japanese aggression in Wednesday's V-Day parade, bearing the glory from the past.

The hero units' banner formation attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese UN peacekeepers march through Tian'anmen Square during a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]