The military parade to mark China's National Day began with an air flag guard formation of 20 helicopters, flying across Tian'anmen Square in the shape of "70" on Tuesday morning in Beijing, symbolizing the seven decades since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The helicopter flypast was followed by foot formations, armament formations and air echelons. This year marks the People's Liberation Army's first appearance in a military parade, since large-scale reform and restructuring.