12,000 troops, hundreds of tanks... and a missile that can destroy an AIRCRAFT CARRIER 'with one hit': China displays its ever-growing might to mark Japan's WWII defeat (but locals are banned from watching)

• Hundreds of tanks and missiles rolled through Tiananmen Square in Beijing in an ostentatious display to the world
• China unveils the Dongfeng-21D for first time - its much-feared anti-ship ballistic missile 
• But barricades were set up hundreds of metres from the parade and police blocked access to the deserted streets
• Residents whose homes overlooked route were ordered not to go onto their balconies or even open their windows 

By Simon Tomlinson for MailOnline

Published: 03:28 EST, 3 September 2015 | Updated: 16:38 EST, 3 September 2015

China today held its biggest display of military might in a parade to commemorate victory over Japan in World War Two – and among the weapons unveiled for the first time was an anti-ship ballistic missile which is reportedly capable of destroying an aircraft carrier with one hit. 

The much-feared Dongfeng-21D can apparently strike a powerfully defended moving target with pinpoint precision.

It would penetrate defences because its incredible speed from launch would not allow enough time for carriers or other large vessels to complete counter-measures.

However, if locals had wanted to catch a glimpse of this and the rest of China's arsenal, they would be disappointed... as they were banned from watching the display.

More than 12,000 troops and hundreds of tanks and missiles rolled through Tiananmen Square in Beijing as fighter jets and bombers flew overhead in an ostentatious show of force that lasted around 90 minutes.

Scroll down for video 

Among the weapons unveiled for the first time in China's latest display of military might was an anti-ship ballistic missile - the Dongfeng-21D (above) - which is reportedly capable of destroying an aircraft carrier with one hit

The much-feared DF-21D can apparently strike a powerfully defended moving target with pinpoint precision. It would penetrate defences because its incredible speed from launch would not allow enough time for carriers or other large vessels to complete counter-measures

But barricades were set up hundreds of metres from the parade and squads of police and volunteers blocked access to the deserted streets.

Residents whose homes overlooked the route itself were even ordered not to go onto their balconies or open their windows. 

'Of course I'm proud, I'm Chinese,' translator Zhao Yufeng said. 'But I think people would feel more involved if we could see the soldiers and tanks.' 

Crowds of around a hundred citizens gathered to try to catch a glimpse of the hardware as it rolled by in the distance, but were disappointed. 

Show of strength: Dozens of armoured vehicles and ballistic missiles roll through Tiananmen Square in Beijing for China's biggest-ever display of military hardware in a parade to commemorate victory over Japan in World War Two

Out in force: Thousands of soldiers march along Tiananmen Square for the parade marking the 70th Anniversary of the victory over Japan

High flyers: More than 12,000 troops and hundreds of tanks and missiles rolled through Tiananmen Square in Beijing as fighter jets, bombers and helicopters flew overhead in an ostentatious show of force that lasted around 90 minutes

Locals weren't allowed to watch the display because barricades were set up hundreds of metres away and police blocked access to the streets

Shut out: Residents whose homes overlooked the route itself were even ordered not to go onto their balconies or open their windows

Instead, most watched the live broadcast on mobile phones as the city took on an atmosphere of years past, with residents sitting out on the streets chatting or playing cards.

A man in his 20s surnamed Guo said he understood the need for security, but was sceptical of the authorities' handling of the event.

'We've been brainwashed from such a young age to hate Japanese, we call them ghosts, so it's easy for the leadership to justify a massive show of force today,' he said.

But as President Xi Jinping began speaking, Guo cut the live broadcast and pocketed his smartphone. 'He's not going to say anything interesting,' he said.

For some, the parade restrictions were an expensive imposition.

Wang Xingyu and his wife have a noodle shop close to the parade route and sleep in a room behind the kitchen. They only go home to visit their families in the mountainous northern province of Shaanxi once a year. 

Military aircraft fly in formation over the military parade marking the 70th Anniversary of the victory over Japan during World War Two

Spelling it out: A formation of helicopters display the number 70 to mark the 70th anniversary of the 'Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War'

Crowds of around a hundred citizens gathered to try to catch a glimpse of the hardware as it rolled by in the distance, but were disappointed

On a high: Dozens of Chinese military helicopters fly in formation during the military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing

They are open seven days a week, but their hard work has been interrupted by the commemorations, which saw them forced to close for two days.

'We're losing money and no one cares about us,' Wang said, visibly flustered. 'Maybe if we could open, people would come, eat and they could watch the parade on our television.

'Instead, everyone is just standing around here with nothing to do,' he added. 'And we can't even see anything!' 

President Xi Jinping announced at the parade that he would cut troop levels by 300,000.

China's confidence in its armed forces and growing military assertiveness, especially in the disputed South China Sea, has rattled the region and drawn criticism from Washington.

Xi, speaking on a rostrum overlooking Beijing's Tiananmen Square before the parade began, said China would cut by 13 per cent one of the world's biggest militaries, currently 2.3-million strong.

He gave no timeframe for a reduction that is likely part of long-mooted military rationalisation plans, which have included spending more money on high-tech weapons for the navy and air force. Troop numbers have been cut three times already since the 1980s.

'Prejudice and discrimination, hatred and war can only cause disaster and pain,' Xi said under a clear blue sky. 'China will always uphold the path of peaceful development.' 

Firepower: China's confidence in its growing military assertiveness, especially in the disputed South China Sea, has rattled the region and drawn criticism from Washington

Military vehicles carrying shore-to-ship missiles drive past the Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to mark the victory over Japan

Gunning for attention: Chinese soldiers on armoured fighting vehicles move past on Tiananmen Square during the military parade

Military vehicles carrying DF-31A long-range missiles drive past the Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to mark victory in World War II

A military vehicle carrying a Pterodactyl I unmanned aerial vehicle drive past the Tiananmen Gate to mark victory in World War Two

He then descended to Beijing's main thoroughfare and inspected rows of troops, riding past them in a black limousine and bellowing repeatedly: 'Hello comrades, hard-working comrades!'

More than 12,000 soldiers, mostly Chinese but with contingents from Russia and elsewhere, then marched down Changan Avenue, led by veterans of World War Two carried in vehicles.

They were followed by ballistic missiles, tanks and armoured vehicles, many never seen in public before. Advanced fighter jets and bombers flew overhead in a highly choreographed spectacle that lasted around 90 minutes.  

Also shown were several intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the DF-5B and the DF-31A as well as the DF-26 intermediate range ballistic missile, dubbed the 'Guam killer' in reference to a U.S. Pacific Ocean base. 

Greg Austin, a professorial fellow at the East-West Institute in New York, said the troop cuts had nothing to do with curbing military power.

'It's a determination to expand military power by redirecting money to higher impact, higher technologies, which can have more strategic effect,' he said, referring to the maritime, cyber and space frontiers.

Peng Guangqian, deputy head of China's Council for National Security Policy Studies, said the equipment on display was intended to show the combat readiness of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

'This indicates a change of the PLA training strategy; with more focus on actual combat,' Peng told the official Xinhua news agency. 

More than 12,000 soldiers, mostly Chinese but with contingents from Russia and elsewhere, took part in the ostentatious parade

Female soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army march during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japan

Most Western leaders rebuffed invitations to attend, unhappy about the guest list and wary of the message China would send with the parade

Sensitive: China's government repeatedly said the parade was not aimed at today's Japan, but to remember the past and to remind the world of China's huge sacrifices during the conflict

For Xi, the parade was a welcome distraction from the country's plunging stock markets, slowing economic growth and recent blasts at a chemical warehouse that killed at least 160 people.

Xi was joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of several other nations with close ties to China, including Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

Most Western leaders rebuffed invitations to attend, diplomats said, unhappy about the guest list and wary of the message China would send with the show of strength.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not attend the parade, which was held one day after the 70th anniversary of Tokyo's surrender in World War Two.

China's government repeatedly said the parade was not aimed at today's Japan, but to remember the past and to remind the world of China's huge sacrifices during the conflict.

However, it rarely misses an opportunity to draw attention to Japan's wartime role. On Wednesday, Xi said Japanese invaders before and during World War Two behaved with barbarity. 

Scaling back: President Xi Jinping (above) announced at the parade that he would cut troop levels by 300,000

Chinese President Xi Jinping wipes his face as Russia's President Vladimir Putin (left) looks on during the military parade at Tiananmen Square

Honoured: Soldiers marched down Changan Avenue, led by veterans (above) from World War Two carried in vehicles

Message of peace: Thousands of doves are released during a parade marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender during World War Two

Xi has set great store on China's military modernisation, including developing an ocean-going 'blue water' navy capable of defending the country's growing global interests.

In a sign of that emerging capability, five Chinese Navy ships were sailing in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, at a time when U.S. President Barack Obama is touring the state.

China's Defence Ministry said the ships were there as part of routine drills not aimed at any particular country.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said it was the first time the United States had seen Chinese navy ships in the Bering Sea.

'It is living up to what the Chinese have been saying, 'We are now a blue water navy. We will operate in the far seas and we are a global presence',' said Dean Cheng, a China expert at the Heritage Foundation think-tank in Washington.

Xi will meet Obama in Washington for talks later this month that will be dominated by a host of issues, including China's growing military reach.

Beijing was locked down to ensure nothing went wrong at the parade, with much of the downtown off-limits, a three-day holiday declared and ordinary people kept well away.

'This parade and patriotism are two separate things,' said Mi Guoxian, who had come to Beijing for a wedding, standing on a nearly deserted street behind a line of police. This is for the national leaders.'

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