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A military vehicle passes the end of a street in central Beijing, before the parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. REUTERS / Stringer

Beijing is preparing to host, Tiananmen Square, the largest military parade ever held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1st.

With our correspondent in Beijing, Stéphane Lagarde

It's first a purring in the distance, an engine noise coming from the side of Tiananmen Square . Policemen block Dongsi South Avenue. It is 19:30, we are inside the first ring road. A wall of mobile phones tends to face the night.

At a hundred meters, the headlights of vehicles khaki advance. Among the onlookers, insiders, residents drawn to the show, and others who are simply stuck there. " I live south of the third ring road, but I'm stuck here," says delivery driver Zhao Zhanying. So, I see the tanks passing over there. I'm lucky, I will not be able to approach Tiananmen Square on October 1st. "

" It shows all our strength! "

The nearest metro station has just closed, traffic is interrupted and it is now the turn of missile launchers and drone carriers to turn at the end of the avenue. This is the second rehearsal weekend for the People's Liberation Army before the 70th anniversary celebrations of the People's Republic of China on October 1st. Preparations in secret to preserve the surprise, even if the turrets of the tanks and the vehicles of missile launchers are difficult to dissimulate. This resident of the neighborhood is all returned. " Look, they are coming! It's a convoy, there are many, she enthuses. I am very excited. She is beautiful our army, she is powerful. It's impressive. I am very moved. I feel the blood boiling in my veins. It shows all our strength! "

The show of force should be up to President Xi Jinping's Chinese dream. For what promises to be the biggest military parade in the history of China, parks, a stadium and even tennis courts have been requisitioned in Beijing.

Checks were tightened for the October 1st celebrations, as here on the Oriental Plaza. REUTERS / Florence Lo

Barred roads and reinforced controls

This summer, metal palisades pushed their way around in order to preserve the participants and the civil and military vehicles participating in the parade of the eyes of the curious. After the last vehicles have passed on Dongsi South Avenue, the policemen ask the onlookers to return to their occupations. The videos captured by smartphones walkers morning now appear in the "moments" of the day on WeChat messaging .

In addition to these rehearsals for the October 1 parade, several institutions such as the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, have closed their doors this weekend and will reopen them after National Day. Parcel control was reinforced upon arrival in Beijing. Fans of flying pigeons, kites, drones or remote-controlled flying toys will have to wait until the commemorations have passed before returning to their passion ...