Kazakh soldiers depart for Beijing to attend victory parade

ALMATY -- A guard of honor from Kazakhstan consisting of some 100 soldiers departed for China Monday to attend the Sept. 3 parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The soldiers had been training for days in the sweltering summer heat in preparation for the Beijing parade, completing their final domestic session on Aug. 15.

Maskad Bayzhigitov, commander of the guard of honor of the three services of Kazakhstan's armed forces, said that participating in the parade is an honor for the Kazakh soldiers, and that Sept. 3 is a festival for both the Chinese and the Kazakh people "since our grandfathers' generation once fought hand in hand against Fascism."

"Every member of the guard of honor will present to the whole world the majesty and tenacity of the Kazakh army," Bayzhigitov said.

Upon arrival in Beijing, the Kazakh guard of honor, which has participated in several international military parades and other celebration activities since its establishment in 2002, will participate in the joint training with its Chinese counterpart.

Apart from Kazakhstan, troops of other member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have also been invited to join in China's V-Day parade.