Commander: Chinese troops in closed-door training to present "most splendid and distinctive" parade

Source: Xinhua | 03-09-2009 17:35

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese soldiers have begun closed-door trainings to present a "most splendid and distinctive" parade for National Day celebrations in October, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) general said here Monday.

Fang Fenghui, commander of the Beijing Military Area Command, said the number of soldiers attending the parade would be similar with previous years, and that they are making careful preparations to present "a most splendid and distinctive grand ceremony to the world."

A "parade village" for the troops to live in is also under construction in the mean time, said Fang who is also the commander-in-chief of the parade.

He stressed, on the sidelines of the annual parliament session, that the parade would be a grand occasion prepared in a thrifty manner.

"China now faces serious challenges from the financial crisis, so it is important that we hold the parade frugally," said Feng, a deputy to the National People's Congress.