By Bian-lian Huang.
On October 1, 1999, the People's Republic of China celebrated its 50th National Day with a large and impressive military parade on the grounds of Tiananmen Square. I still recall with goose bumps then-President Jiang Zemin riding in an open-top military jeep inspecting and saluting the People's Liberation Army (Renmin Jiefang Jun). Military hardware including missiles, tanks and fighter jets were on parade. These images were broadcast all over the world.
It was the first visual sign of China's re-emergence as a global power. Ten years on, as the People's Republic of China prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of the country's Liberation, we look forward to seeing an even greater display of wealth and power. Over the last ten years, China's gross domestic product (GDP) has almost doubled, and its military might is now indisputable.
If the 1999 celebration was the first concrete, visual sign of China's prowess as a global power, then the visuals coming out of the 2009 parade shall leave an indelible mark on the world -- that China has stood up. Qi Lai!
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