A Chinese City Under Strict Supervision

The parade, the first in six years, also demonstrated the Communist Party's ability to control Beijing. The capital's streets were patrolled by thousands of soldiers and police and blocked off with fences. The use of drones was banned, and airport-like security checkpoints were implemented in several parts of the city. According to observers, the scale of the mobilization was due to fears of protests amid social discontent among young Chinese. Authorities are still haunted by the memory of the banner unfurled on a bridge in the capital in 2022, criticizing Xi. Military Force on Display Some of China's most sophisticated weapons systems, including short- and medium-range missiles, stealth combat drones, and multiple rocket launch systems, were displayed in the parade. In addition, hypersonic vehicles were detected: the YJ-21 anti-ship cruise missile and the JL-3, which is fired from submarines.