On September 3, as part of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the fight against fascism, China will hold a large military parade in Tiananmen Square, where the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) new Information Support, Aerospace, and Cyberspace Forces will officially debut.
The announcement was confirmed by China’s State Council Information Office during a press conference on Tuesday, where it was stated that the event will carry strong symbolic and strategic significance. According to Wu Zeke, a senior official from the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the parade will feature foot formations, armored columns, and aerial squadrons, as well as troops who have participated in UN peacekeeping missions.
Debut of the New Technological Forces
Military expert Zhang Junshe emphasized that this parade will mark the first public appearance of new units created after the PLA’s major structural reforms—specifically, the Information Support, Aerospace, and Cyberspace Forces, which now fall under the new command structure directly controlled by the CMC.
This transformation was formalized on April 19, 2024, when the PLA Information Support Force was officially established in a ceremony held in Beijing. This also marked the official dissolution of the former Strategic Support Force (SSF). Since then, the command structures of the aerospace and cyber forces were reorganized as independent branches.
The main goal of this reform was the dismantling of the SSF, splitting its core components into the Information Support Force (ISF), an aerospace unit, and a cyberspace unit, forming a new “4+4” military organizational structure. This “4+4” structure refers to the four military services:
- Ground Force
- Navy
- Air Force
- Rocket Force
And four specialized branches, which include:
- International Security Force (ISF)
- Aerospace Force
- Cyberspace Force
- Joint Logistic Support Force (JLSF)
Regarding the establishment of the new aerospace and cyberspace units, Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, had stated that “the Aerospace Force acts as the PLA’s eyes and ears; the Cyberspace Force is responsible for cybersecurity; and the ISF is like the nervous system.”
Modernization and Technological Deterrence
In addition to the human component, the parade will showcase a wide range of next-generation weapons systems, including smart unmanned equipment, underwater combat systems, cyber warfare tools, and hypersonic weapons—demonstrating China’s progress in disruptive technologies and its adaptability to modern warfare.
Zhang noted that this display is not merely about projecting military strength, but also aims to raise national defense awareness, strengthen public confidence in the PLA’s capabilities, and showcase China’s progress toward building modern armed forces with “Chinese characteristics.”
A Joint and Reformed Force
The 2025 parade will also focus on presenting the integrated joint operations model, a result of years of reforms. Under the “three forces in one” concept—the People’s Liberation Army, the People’s Armed Police, and the militia—China will project a cohesive image of its combined national defense capabilities.
Wu Zeke stated that each formation has been carefully organized to reflect “the distinctive characteristics of each military branch,” while also demonstrating the synergy achieved under the new joint operational structure.
Additionally, a unified military band will perform classic patriotic and historical songs, further emphasizing the commemorative and nationalist tone of the event.
With this display of power and modernization, China seeks to solidify its image as a responsible military power, committed to both national defense and the maintenance of international peace.
Images for illustrative purposes only
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