The military might showed off at China’s 70th anniversary parade moved some Chinese to tears. Here’s why

The pomp, drama and advanced military technology on display at the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China sent a dramatic, carefully-rehearsed message to the world on Tuesday that China has emerged as a global military power — a formidable rival to the United States.

The dazzling parade played an important domestic role as well, drumming up fervent nationalism and loyalty to the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping, at a time when the party feels threatened, with the economy — the main source of its domestic legitimacy — slowing.

It also faces a bruising trade war with the United States, as other Western powers turn against the Chinese government’s policies, particularly its detention of around 1 million minority Muslims, mainly Uighurs, and Beijing’s support for a tough crackdown by Hong Kong authorities on pro-democracy protesters.

Read the full article and more in The Los Angeles Times.