By Patrick Chovanec

Two weeks ago I sent out a Tweet to my friends telling them I was “confined to my apartment by the PLA [China's military]” for the entire night, and that “they wouldn’t even let me out for dinner!” Well, it’s happening again, for the third time this month, and the whole crazy thing is starting to make world headlines, so I figure I ought to relate the full tale of what’s going on here in Beijing.

October 1st is China’s “National Day,” commemorating the day in 1949 when Chairman Mao stood atop Tiananmen (the main gate to the Forbidden City) and announced the formation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Every ten years there is a big parade along Chang’an Avenue, Beijing’s main east-west boulevard, and through Tiananmen Square featuring – but not limited to – a military review of goose-stepping soldiers, tanks, and nuclear missiles reminiscent of the Cold War. This year is the 60th Anniversary of the PRC, and the Chinese government is determined to dazzle the world with some artistic “shock and awe.” The parade is expected to showcase some of China’s newest long-range missiles and other advanced weapons systems.