"The inclusion of KMT veterans in the parade demonstrates the CPC's respect and safeguarding of history. It fully recognizes the contribution by the KMT to ensure victory." said Yu Pei, a historian from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Equipment and armaments slated to be included in the parade will be mainly domestic and in active service, many of which will be having their first public outing, Qu said, adding preparations for the parade adhere to the principles of pragmatism, frugality and efficiency.
All parade troops will assemble at a Beijing training base for three months of training.
"The aim of the parade is to show China's determination to follow the path of peaceful development, defend world peace and national sovereignty, security and development, demonstrating the great sacrifices and contribution by Chinese people, and to display our army's latest achievements in building a modern defence force," Qu said.
Apart from the military parade, an array of other activities will commemorate the anniversary, including seminars and a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.
Last month, China announced a national holiday to celebrate the victory on Sept. 3, hoping to encourage more people to take part in commemoration activities.
FORGOTTEN ALLY?
During Tuesday's briefing, Wang thanked other nations for their "precious support" in China's war against Japanese aggression while defending China's role in WWII.
The Soviet Union, United States, United Kingdom and France all supported China during the war, Wang said.
The Soviet Union was the first to come to China's aid, and the actions of Soviet troops in northeast China accelerated the defeat of the invaders, Wang said.
The United States also provided great support, with the UK and France offering economic aid and military cooperation, he said. Dozens of other countries also contributed to the war effort.
Wang thanked a number of individuals including American journalist Agnes Smedley and Canadian doctor Henry Norman Bethune. "Chinese people will forever remember the precious contribution of people from many countries," he said.
He also pointed out that some westerners downplayed China's role in WWII, saying they "lack objectivity and appreciation of China's position and role."
"The historical facts are that the Chinese people's war against Japanese aggression was an important part of the world anti-fascist war and [China] played a significant role as the major oriental battlefield," he said.
China defeated Japanese invaders, killing more than 1.5 million their troops, which coordinated with the allies' campaigns. China also paid a great price, with more than 35 million soldiers and civilians sacrificed.
China's position in the Asian theater and the Asian theater's position in WWII should be understood, recognized and remembered by the international community, said Yin Zhuo, director of an expert consultation committee of the PLA Navy. "That is [shows] respect for history."
He said some countries had intentionally belittled the CPC's role in fighting Japanese Fascists through guerrilla wars.
It is hoped that Western countries shelve their differences and promote a diversified international society that features exchange and integration, just like in World War II; abandoning prejudice and fighting side by side against Fascism.
Without China's resistance, the situation would have been much harder for Western allies on the Asian front, according to Rana Mitter, director of Oxford University's China Center.
According to Rana, who is also the author of the book Forgotten Ally: China's World War II 1937-1945, the tragic, titanic struggle that China waged in the 1930s and 1940s was not just for its own national dignity and survival, but for the victory of all the Allies.
