Beijing gears up for Victory Parade with flowers

BEIJING: As China gears up to mark the 70th anniversary of its victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on September 3, authorities today said the capital will be adorned with as many as 2.8 million flower pots for the celebrations.

"The flowers will be arranged at scenic spots, squares and tourist sites in the capital," Zhu Yingzi, an official with the Beijing Park Management Centre said.

The decorations will include 32 large flowerbeds, featuring themes of peace and victory, and more than 1,000 smaller arrangements, Zhu said.

Floral decorations in the shape of victory trumpets will be assembled at Zhongshan Park, near Tiananmen Square, state- run Global Times reported.

Beijing has a tradition of organising flower decorations for festivals and other important occasions.

Olive branches and dove-shaped arrangements will appear at the Summer Palace in the northwestern part of the capital.

The flowerbeds will be in place from August 23 to early September.