The National Day celebrations went off without a hitch in Beijing and General Secretary Xi has already issued an order of commendation for everyone who participated in his first National Day military parade as General Secretary, President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Noticed a couple of things - When Xi was standing at the Gate of Heavenly Peace, it seemed to me that there were at least two meters of empty space on either side of him. Some Chinese would find that unseemly, calling too much attention to himself. For the veteran watchers, though, it is clear that Xi is The Man. Second, the big picture of each former leader had one or two brigades of people conveying the picture. Xi had, according to what I have heard, a brigade of 18. The start of the parade was soldiers marching, and tanks, and soldiers, and tanks. I did ask some friends if I could post on wechat that I haven't seen so many tanks on Chang'an Boulevard in thirty years. They suggested I not write that.
Noticed a couple of things - When Xi was standing at the Gate of Heavenly Peace, it seemed to me that there were at least two meters of empty space on either side of him. Some Chinese would find that unseemly, calling too much attention to himself. For the veteran watchers, though, it is clear that Xi is The Man. Second, the big picture of each former leader had one or two brigades of people conveying the picture. Xi had, according to what I have heard, a brigade of 18. The start of the parade was soldiers marching, and tanks, and soldiers, and tanks. I did ask some friends if I could post on wechat that I haven't seen so many tanks on Chang'an Boulevard in thirty years. They suggested I not write that.