China's senior military commanders have denied showcasing new weaponry ahead of their National Day celebrations amounts to "muscle flexing", instead saying a stronger China would mean "more world peace".

Key points: It is the first National Day parade since Xi Jinping came into power in 2012

It is the first National Day parade since Xi Jinping came into power in 2012 The weapons and equipment to be featured in the parade were designed and made in China

The weapons and equipment to be featured in the parade were designed and made in China They have higher strike accuracy, better battlefield adaptability and greater operational effectiveness

The capital has been holding rehearsals over the past few weekends in preparation for October 1, when the Communist regime will mark 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Earlier this month, photos and videos of one of the rehearsals posted on social media revealed an array of supersonic and stealth weapons and equipment being rolled into central Beijing, including a new wedge-shaped supersonic spy drone.

The latest weaponry reveal followed reports from earlier this year that China was beefing up its navy, after a photo emerged showing a warship armed with an electromagnetic railgun that uses enormous electric currents to shoot projectiles from tracks at great speed.

However, in a rare press conference yesterday, three senior Chinese military leaders spoke out about the Chinese military's developments while highlighting the significance of the 70th anniversary parade.

Executive deputy director of the Military Parade Joint Command Office, Tan Min, said the weapons and equipment to be featured in the parade were designed and made in China, were in active service and included some of the latest equipment in the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

"[The weaponry] fully reflects the independent innovation capability of our national defence research … [providing us with] higher strike accuracy, better battlefield adaptability and greater operational effectiveness," Mr Tan said.

Responding to questions about what the purpose of China showcasing the new equipment was, as well as whether it was aimed at broadening China's military sphere of influence, Beijing's Ministry of Defence director of information Wu Qian said the Chinese military was always criticised as being either too "opaque" or "muscle flexing".

"We have neither intention nor need to "show our muscles" through military parade," Mr Wu said.

"Over the past 70 years, the contribution of the Chinese army to the world is obvious to all.

"The stronger we are, the more positive energy we will provide for world peace."

'Magnificent 70 years': China's growing military might

A supersonic drone was unveiled during a rehearsal for the National Day military parade. ( Weibo )

President Xi Jinping is overseeing a sweeping plan to refurbish the PLA by developing everything from stealth jets to aircraft carriers as China ramps up its presence in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rogue Chinese territory.

In March, Beijing unveiled a target of 7.5 per cent rise in defence spending for 2019, a slower rate than last year but one that still outpaces China's economic growth target.

In 2018, China invested some $US239.2 billion ($354 billion) in its military — a sum greater than the gross domestic products (GDPs) of entire countries such as New Zealand, Greece or Portugal in the same year — according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Today, this means PLA is swiftly catching up to the technological prowess of Washington and Moscow, and military analysis website Global Firepower estimated the Chinese military draws upon about 2.18 million active personnel.

Mr Wu told reporters it would be the first National Day parade since China entered "the new era" referring to the start of Mr Xi's presidential tenure in 2012.

"[It is] the first time the Chinese military will appear in public after a comprehensive reform," he said.

"It has been a magnificent 70 years since the Public Republic of China was established and now it is the new era of development."

Chinese military leaders, left to right, Major General Cai Zhijun, Tan Min and Wu Qian at the rare media conference. ( Chinese Ministry of Defence )

Mr Wu said under the "strong leadership of the Communist Party of China", the Chinese army would "resolutely" safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.

"We will actively contribute towards the building of a shared future for mankind and stride forward along the road of strengthening the military according to the Chinese way," he said.

Major General Cai Zhijun, deputy director of the office of the leading group for the military parade, said the parade will have 15,000 participants, more than 160 aircrafts and 580 sets of equipment.

A DF-41 was also spotted during the military parade rehearsals. ( Weibo )

Mr Wu added that some 188 military officials from 97 countries would be invited to watch the parade, however, no foreign troops or leaders were invited.

In addition to a military parade, celebrations on National Day will also reportedly include a mass pageant and a fireworks show, with more than 100,000 expected to take part.

Ahead of National Day, China has banned flying kites, drones and captive pigeons over central Beijing. Some venues, including the Forbidden Palace, will also be closed.