Observers said the parade had more of a combat feel as soldiers appeared as if they were gripped by the heat of battle.

"Here, the soldiers have the stares that kill," said Wang Ruicheng, deputy head of the general office of the parade headquarters.

Late leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping also inspected troops in the field at key moments in history.

It is the first time for Xi to oversee such a large parade at a military base, and the first time for China to commemorate Army Day with a military parade since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

SHOW OF STRENGTH

Sunday's commemoration began with a flag-raising ceremony at around 9 a.m.

Xi was greeted by Han Weiguo, commander-in-chief of the parade and commander of the Central Theater Command.

"Comrade chairman, the troops are ready. Please review," Han said.

"Proceed!" Xi replied.

Camouflage-clad Xi mounted an open-top jeep that drove along an airstrip.

"Salute to you, comrades," Xi called out to the soldiers.

"Hail to you, chairman," they replied.

Xi alternated the greeting with "Comrades, thanks for your hard work," to which soldiers replied "Serve the people."

"Follow the Party. Fight to win. Forge exemplary conduct," servicemen and women exclaimed to Xi in unison.

Forty-one attack helicopters flew in formations spelling Chinese characters "Ba Yi" -- or Aug. 1 -- and the number 90.

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