China says will reduce troops by 300,000

BEIJING

China's president has pledged to trim troop levels by around 300,000, as the country held an enormous military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

While spectators waved red flags in the air as tanks, missile launchers and more than 12,000 troops paraded through Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, Xi Jinping told a gathering of world leaders that China was committed to peace.

“The aim of our commemoration… is to bear history in mind, honour all those who laid down their lives, cherish peace and open up the future."

Xi did not give a time frame or a specific reason for the reduction, but underlined that The People's Liberation Army of China has the "sacred duty of protecting national security," as well as "ensuring world peace."

He underlined that WWII had inflicted over 100 million military and civilian casualties worldwide.

"China suffered over 35 million casualties and the Soviet Union lost over 27 million lives," he said, underlining that “War is like a mirror."

"Looking at it helps us better understand the value of peace. China will remain committed to peaceful development. We Chinese love peace," he said

Considered one of the five most powerful armies of the world, China's military boasts some 1.6 million active duty troops.

China Daily quoted Song Xiaojun, a military commentator, as saying Thursday that it was common practice for Chinese leaders to pledge disarmament after big parades.

"China downsized its army by one million in 1985, after the 1984 parade," Song said.

Former presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao also cut troop levels by 500,000 and 200,000, respectively, the daily added.

"So despite not being a new practice, the disarmament announcement is in line with Xi's pledge of never seeking hegemony."