China Marks Anniversary Of WWII's End

05:50

September 03, 2015

A KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control system leads J-10 fighter jets flying past a national flag during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two on September 3, 2015 in Beijing, China. China is marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and its role in defeating Japan with a new national holiday and a military parade in Beijing. (Andy Wong /Getty Images)

With fighter jets roaring overhead, China staged a massive parade of tanks, missiles and troops through the heart of Beijing today, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender, which ended the second world war.

China's president also used the occasion to pledge to reduce the Chinese army by 300,000 troops in a bid to show his country does not pose a threat to the region.

NPR's Frank Langfitt joins Here & Now's Lisa Mullins with details on the spectacle.

Guest

Frank Langfitt, NPR's international correspondent, based in Shanghai. He tweets @franklangitt.

This segment aired on September 3, 2015.