Mexican troops ready to participate in Beijing parade

Commander Jose Carlos Luna Loaeza poses for a picture after an interview with Xinhua, at a naval facility in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Aug 18, 2015. Mexico will send a delegation to attend the military parade due to be held in Beijing, on Sept 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggressions and the World Anti-Fascist War. [Photo/Xinhua]

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican army cadets feel proud and excited for the upcoming participation in the parade of the 70th anniversary of the anti-fascism war to be held on Sep 3 in Beijing, head of the delegation told Xinhua recently.

Jose Carlos Luna Loaeza, captain of the Secretariat of the Navy General Corps (Semar) and commander of the naval and military contingent to China, said that he felt tremendously proud as this is the first time that a Mexican military contingent has ever been invited to take part in the parade.

The delegation is made up of 75 people including a captain, three officers and 71 cadets from Mexico's naval school, military and air force colleges. Each school will be represented by an officer and a number of cadets.

The delegation will go to China to show the unity of Mexico's armed forces who represent the Mexican people, Luna said.

"With this event, we want to help Mexico become a player with global responsibility," said Luna, adding that the trip will increase relations between the two armed forces and the two countries.

China is a fascinating country with "a very rich culture. We want to show that Mexico also has a rich culture, folklore and customs," Luna said.

The delegation has been preparing rigorously since last week and these practices will continue until Sep. 3.

During the parade, the navy cadets will use their formal white, long-sleeved uniform while the military and air colleges will wear their distinctive black uniforms.

The selected cadets, with a minimum height of 1.70 meters, were chosen for their good conduct record. They will not carry firearms in the parade but will have ceremonial swords, while the officers will carry a saber.