Rear Admiral Li Xiaoyan (first from left) salutes during a training session with the soldiers of a marching unit on July 30, 2015, ahead of the Sept 3 military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. [Photo/mod.gov.cn]

Generals rather than junior officers will lead the unit to present the image of the People's Liberation Army. In the previous parades, units were usually led by field grade officers.

In Moscow's Red Square parade this year, the military force leaders, usually generals, led the Russian formation according to their tradition.