All of the papers wrote about the event. I even had the chance to watch some of the coverage on television and I was very impressed by the spectacle. One interesting, if a little paranoid, article came from the Wall Street Journal regarding the display of arms in the Beijing parade. In particular they discussed an anti-ship missile that the author suggested was designed for the purpose of keeping outsider naval forces (the US) from defending against a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Another notable perspective on the anniversary was the South China Morning Post's article about the exclusivity of the parade. The New York Times informed me of the difficulty of training and selection of participants in the parade, which was ultimately an astonishing display of choreography and organization. NYT also wrote about the many disappointed tourists who were instructed to stay in their hotel rooms because police were barricading off many of Beijing's streets. SCMP went into deeper detail about the brutal facts of the party's policy regarding the parade. SCMP's headline basically said that the celebration was only for a select few. Elite members of Chinese politics were invited, but the average person was excluded and even barricaded from getting near the parade. SCMP quoted a 14-year old Chinese boy who wanted to become a photographer and take photos of the event, but could not see anything from the place where he could stand as an uninvited spectator.
SCMP also reported on the use of iodine pellets scattered throughout the atmosphere above Beijing before the parade because of looming rain clouds. On the ground, someone launches a missile that carries the pellets. At the proper location, an explosion occurs, spreading out the iodine pellets and they clear up clouds to prevent rain. They were used before the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics.
Another SCMP article discussed the Mao-suit that Chinese leader Hu Jintao wore. At previous National Day celebrations and military parades, Hu Jintao's predecessors had worn suits like the one that Chairman Mao always appeared in. SCMP interpreted the ritual as showing fidelity to founding values. Maybe it's not a bad idea for the highest politicians of the US to dress up as a Founding Father on Independence Day, although it is difficult to think of possible matches.
Reading and watching the events, one cannot help but be intimidated by China's power. Although I would not self-describe as a fan of American hegemony, the WSJ article especially reminds us that this moment in time witnesses the world order changing. Most of all, China is intimidating because it creates an era of uncertainty. Perhaps something better will come out of it, but at this point, no one knows.
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