Connect with us

Indian Defense

Thousands Gather In Tiananmen Square To Celebrate Centenary of Chinese Communist Party

Published

on

Thousands Gather In Tiananmen Square To Celebrate Centenary of Chinese Communist Party

Some 70,000 spectators had gathered in the heart of Beijing to celebrate the centenary of China’s ruling party

BEIJING – In the summer, the sun rises early in Beijing, so when the crowd piled into spectator stands on Tiananmen Square in the wee hours of Thursday (July 1) morning, it was already bright.

The festivities began with a mass singing of communist songs – which included tunes like “Without the Communist Party, there will be no New China” and “Socialism is good” – exhorting the people to be loyal to and keep faith with the party.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which was founded in 1921, turns 100 this year. In the run up to the anniversary, the party has been drawing attention to its achievements, including its efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 and the eradication of absolute poverty.

On Thursday morning, the party once more sought to drive home the message of its supremacy over Covid-19, telling spectators – who had entered the square masked – to remove their face masks just before the festivities.

For weeks, the CCP had kept details of its anniversary celebrations under wraps, all that was known was that party leader and Chinese President Xi Jinping would give a speech at the celebration on Thursday morning.

Dressed in a Mao suit, Mr Xi took to the podium and in a 70-minute speech stressed the centrality of the party, pointing to how the CCP had led China from when it was a nation where “people could not keep warm and their bellies full, till its ‘moderately prosperous’ status” today.

“In order to realise the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the CCP united and led the Chinese people through bloody battles, and proved to be indomitable,” he said.

About 20 minutes into Mr Xi’s speech, a light drizzle started that gave way into a steady downpour. Parts of it was drowned out by many reaching for their ponchos.

Mr Xi also sounded a warning against external forces that would try to “bully” or pressure China.

“Whoever wants to do this will smash their heads bloody against the iron Great Wall formed by the blood of 1.4 billion Chinese people,” he said, to cheers from spectators.

The celebration was attended by top Chinese leadership including former president Hu Jintao. Television images did not appear to show former president Jiang Zemin in attendance. Most of the celebration was taken up by Mr Xi’s speech, but before that, the party also took the chance to show off its latest air force hardware in a fly past involving its J-20 stealth fighter and Z-8 heavy lift helicopter, which flew past carrying the party flag and four banners containing slogans.

Other helicopter and jet formations streaked past the crowds forming the numbers “100” and “71”, representing the date – July 1. State news agency Xinhua had reported earlier that more than 14,000 people have been involved in rehearsals of the centenary parade. In the run-up to the party’s big day, security had been tightened in and around the Tiananmen Square area.

Schools and subway stations have been shut since earlier this week and residents in the vicinity, including near the Wangfujing shopping belt, have been told to remain at home until after the festivities end on Thursday.

Tiananmen Square, a popular tourist spot, had also been sealed off last week.

Restrictions have also been placed on diplomats and reporters attending the event, with requirements for pre-event quarantine and testing. Foreign journalists were told that they had to be fully vaccinated with a Chinese vaccine before June 15 in order to attend the event.

Those attending the event were also made to take a nucleic acid test before being allowed into the quarantine hotel where they were subjected to another nucleic acid test.

Other restrictions include no hats of any sort, one mobile phone per person and a strict dress code.

Diplomats, who were not required to have a Chinese jab, were told they had to be in Beijing since June 13 in order to attend the event.

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Indian Defense

INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

Published

on

By

INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





Source link

Continue Reading

Indian Defense

After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

Published

on

By

After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





Source link

Continue Reading

Indian Defense

Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

Published

on

By

Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.