Cr. Thomas Peter/Reuters

New weapons - including a hypersonic ballistic nuclear missile capable of breaching anti-missile defences to reach the US - were rolled out across the tarmac. NG HAN GUAN/AP

A formation of military aeroplanes - one KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft and seven J-10 multirole fighter jets - fly over Beijing during the military parade at Tiananmen Square. WANG ZHAO/AFP

Soldiers march in formation past Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. THOMAS PETER/REUTERS

China staged its biggest ever military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. NG HAN GUAN/AP PHOTO

After the military parade, dancers and floats lauding China's history, achievements and regions paraded, along with portraits of China's previous leaders and Xi himself, which received loud cheers. THOMAS PETER/REUTERS