We interrupt this hiatus, as we threatened we would from time to time, to bring you some video from this evening's dress rehearsal for the upcoming military parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. As it happens, the mustering area for many of the armored vehicles participating in the parade is just north of my apartment complex, in a large empty lot with a convenient rail spur (they didn't drive the tanks all the way in).

This evening at about 4PM they started blocking Dawang Rd. between Guanghua Rd. and Jianguo Rd. (which becomes Chang'an Ave, the main east-west drag along which the parade will roll). Starting at about 6PM literally dozens, perhaps over a hundred self-propelled guns, armored personnel carriers, missile launchers and such began assembling on the road. 

Yes, I am aware of the lingering symbolism of tanks on Beijing streets, and don't think it didn't occur to me as I was watching. However, as you'd expect the mood among the onlookers was festive (although the mood among the police and the many inconvenienced motorists was somewhat less than festive). It was a strange sight to see. I shot video of much of the activity. Unfortunately, it was shot from an iPhone, so make some allowances for quality. But check it out. The tanks start from about 30 seconds in and pretty much keep on going for the remaining six minutes (although this is edited together from several shots over an hour or so). Admittedly, it gets a little tedious after tank number 50 or so, so don't feel you have to watch the whole thing.

Update:

They brought the tanks back to the staging area by my apartment complex at 2 AM last night. I had never thought about this until I watched them rolling by this evening, and had them roll back in during the wee hours, but tanks are really loud.

Also, don't miss the Blue Detachment of Women and similar pix from China.org.cn's series of photos of preparations for the parade. Guaranteed to fulfill all your Soldier of Fortune boot-wearing Asian paramilitary vixen fantasies*. Where were these girls during the Olympic opening ceremony? Hat tip: Chinatravel.net.

*Not that I have any.

See also:

Black and White Cat: When weird tank things drove down Chang'an Avenue

Note:

Certain military pedants (and I say that with affection) among my community of friends have pointed out that technically there is only one "tank" visible among the various armored vehicles on display in this video. This is true and duly noted, but it was felt by the author of this space that the word "tank" would function nicely as a headline-friendly and easily understood euphemism for "armored vehicles". Your indulgence is, of course, appreciated.