While the noise of tanks and thousands of marching feet may be intended to stiffen the confidence of Chinese citizens watching Thursday's ceremony marking the defeat of Japan in World War II, Tokyo's reaction is likely to be far more subdued.
Despite the event's overt anti-Japanese tone — it celebrates what China calls the Victory of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War — the military parade is likely more for domestic consumption.
As Beijing grapples with a number of economic crises that could put the Communist Party's authority in question, analysts say the massive demonstration of military might is a chance for the nation's leaders to shift attention away from the souring economy.