Military parades have been among the key programs of China's National Day celebrations, as an important form of displaying the strength of armed forces and building up national confidence and pride.

There have been 14 National Day military parades in the history of the People's Republic of China (PRC). From its establishment in 1949 to its 10th founding anniversary in 1959, the country held a grand military parade every year at Tian'anmen Square – 11 times altogether. Afterwards, military parades were held to celebrate the National Day on PRC's 35th (in 1984), 50th (in 1999) and 60th (in 2009) founding anniversaries.

On the eve of the military parade on PRC's 70th National Day, CGTN crunches the numbers for the personnel and duration of all 14 previous National Day military parades as well as this year's edition, and summarizes the weapons and equipment exhibited in five major parades – namely during PRC's founding ceremony, and its 10th, 35th, 50th, and 60th founding anniversaries.