Shut windows and empty offices: China’s massive military parade is closed to the public

Beijing is gearing up for the “Victory Day” military parade, but the public isn’t allowed to go. On Wednesday, China’s Communist Party will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in the Pacific. President Xi Jinpinghas invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to attend as part of Beijing’s showcase of global power.

In addition to more than 20 world leaders, only party dignitaries and other hand-picked people will attend.

“Looking at the parade itself, you really are just going to see a stage-managed performance of total control,” said Carl Minzner, senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations and author of “End of an Era: How China’s Authoritarian Revival is Undermining Its Rise.”

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