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Tensions at Home, Abroad Overshadow China's Upcoming National Day
Celebrations

Joyce Huang

   China is planning extravagant celebrations including an unprecedented
   military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of its founding on October
   1.

   While state media herald the possible debut of advanced home-grown
   weapons as a show of force on the upcoming National Day, analysts warn
   that the incumbent administration under the leadership of President Xi
   Jinping is facing challenges ahead amid growing domestic discontent,
   trade frictions with the United States and political unrest in Hong
   Kong.
   Of all events, the military parade of the largest-ever scale will send
   a resounding political message, said Willy Lam, a noted Chinese
   political analyst.
   Ruling legitimacy
   "This is very important for the legitimacy of the party, which doesn't
   of course have ballot-box legitimacy," Lam said.

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