China Military Parade To `Boost Self-Confidence`

The Oct 1 National Day parade will mark six decades since Mao Zedong declared that China had `stood up.`

China has defended a planned military parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Communist China, saying it will boost national pride and self-confidence amid economic hard times.

"As the international financial crisis is still spreading and there are still some critical problems in the domestic economy, holding such a parade will significantly boost the people's national pride and self-confidence," an army newspaper said on Tuesday.

The Oct 1 National Day parade will mark six decades since Mao Zedong declared that China had "stood up", and three decades since the launch of sweeping reforms that set the country on the path to becoming the world's third-largest economy.

The People's Liberation Army will show off some of its new weapons, inspiring patriotism amid slumping economic growth, the PLA Daily said on Tuesday.

The army, navy and air force will turn out in strength for what will be a rare flexing of military muscle by a government that usually prefers to emphasise its "peaceful rise".

"The Central Military Committee ordered the parade to reflect the military power of PLA to protect world peace and regional stability," the newspaper said.