Belarus National Day: PLA Guard of Honor set to dazzle at Minsk parade on July 3rd

World
Europe

02:03

Next Tuesday is the National Day of Belarus, and China's People's Liberation Army are in the nation's capital, Minsk, preparing for a grand military parade on the day. Sun Tianyuan has the story.

Chins up, chests out, marching forward in perfect formation.

The PLA Guard of Honor looks set to dazzle in the July 3rd parade.

The formation has 66 soldiers.

Their preparations have been meticulous, and now they're looking forward to the big day.

HAN JIE HEAD, PLA GUARD OF HONOR "I believe participating in the Belarusian Independence Day military parade will deepen the friendship between the two militaries and the two peoples."

A minute on the stage takes ten years of practice.

Behind the honor and glory is a lot of sweat, and tests of endurance.

But these honor guards are known for their precision and uncompromising standards.

For instance, they are expected to walk at exactly 116 steps per minute, the length of each one 75 centimetres.

But they also need to perfectly coordinate with their Belarussian counterparts.

Some local Chinese residents expressed their pride, watching the PLA rehearse their routine thousands of kilometers from home.

XI MENGJIE CHINESE LIVING IN BELARUS "I've been living in Belarus for more than two years. I feel honored to see the Chinese guard of honor at the Belarusian National Day military parade. As a Chinese, I am really proud."

Around 4,000 soldiers will be reviewed during the parade, while hundreds of pieces of military equipment will also be put on display.

LOCAL RESIDENT "We are proud of our history and our victory. Today, Belarus displayed a variety of military equipment, which was made for peace. Our friendship with Chinese people is very important."

Established in 1953, China's guard of honor of the Army, Navy and Air Force has completed more than 4,000 ceremonial tasks.

Its first all-female guard of honor formation also made its debut this month.

Sun Tianyuan, CGTN.