Two helicopters carrying China's national flag and flag of People's Liberation Army flied over Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing Thursday morning, opening the V-Day parade. [Special coverage]
Each of the two helicopters carried one flag and is escorted by two other choppers.
A group of 20 helicopters formed the number "70" in the air, signifying the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and victory of the war of China's resistance against Japanese aggression.
They were followed by seven trainers trailing red, yellow and blue smoke. These aircraft are of a model that has served in the Air Force for 53 years, the longest among all aircraft, but Thursday's fly marked their debut in a military parade.
