Foreign troops take pride in attending China's V-Day parade

BEIJING - As China's Sept 3 military parade commemorating the end of World War II (WWII) nears, foreign troops accepting Beijing's invitation to take part in the event all expressed their sense of honor.

China will hold a military parade at Tian'anmen Square in the heart of Beijing on Sept 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

It is the first time China commemorates the hard-fought war by a military parade, and also the first time foreign armies are invited to participate in China's parades.

Maskad Bayzhigitov, commander of the guard of honor of the three services of Kazakhstan's armed forces, which will show up during the parade, said participating in the parade is an honor for the Kazakh soldiers.

He said the date of 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.

Jose Carlos Luna Loaeza, captain of the Secretariat of the Mexican Navy General Corps 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.