China will offer a rare look at its rapidly developing arsenal during the parade marking the ruling Communist Party’s 70th anniversary in power. China will offer a rare look at its rapidly developing arsenal during the parade marking the ruling Communist Party’s 70th anniversary in power. The parade will highlight Beijing’s ambition to enforce claims to Taiwan, the South China Sea and other disputed territories — and to challenge Washington as the region’s dominant force. Tuesday’s parade will include 15,000 troops, more than 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of military equipment, according to Ministry of Defence spokesman Major General Cai Zhijun. China’s current mainstay missile, the Dongfeng 31, has a range of more than 11,200 kilometres (6,990 miles) that puts most of the continental United States within reach.

Source: Irish Independent September 29, 2019 03:00 UTC