On October 1, the Beijing government celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, declared formally through a proclamation by the communist revolutionary Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949. As is traditional on such milestone occasions, the Chinese government will stage a mammoth military parade that will showcase China's newest nuclear missiles, displayed among more than 50 types of weapons.

The culmination of the day’s events will be an evening gala performance on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. In preparation for the day’s events, the government has imposed stringent security restrictions, which include a ban on the rental of hotel rooms along the parade route, a ban on the opening of windows or occupying balconies adjacent to the route, and a ban on the flying of kites or allowing the flight of domesticated pigeons near the square — apparently out of fear that miniature explosive devices might be attached to them.

The New York Times reported that when three journalists from the Japanese Kyodo news agency stood on a hotel balcony to cover a September 18 parade rehearsal, the authorities stormed into the room and assaulted them. The explanation provided by a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry was that the journalists ignored explicit instructions not to report the event, out of concern that details of the event would be published, apparently spoiling the surprise.

The Times reported that during the massive event, nearly 5,000 Chinese soldiers will march past the nation’s leaders. The troops will be followed by a parade of tanks and vehicles mounted with missiles, satellites, and military equipment. And the parade will be highlighted by more than 150 planes flying in formation overhead, with some dispersing colored vapor trails.

Liang Guanglie, communist China’s defense minister, stated in a message posted on the Ministry of National Defense website: “This is an extraordinary achievement that speaks to the level of our military’s modernization and the huge change in our country’s technological strength.”

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Larry Brown said:

	... The Chinese leaders continue to say that we are their **MAIN* enemy. Doesn't that mean that China is our enemy?
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October 01, 2009 | url
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