Hong Kong, Aug. 26 -- Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing will be on heightened alert come September 3, even more so than usual. The geographic and political heart of China will welcome throngs of VIPs and distinguished visitors, as well as the elite of the Chinese Communist Party, to witness a massive military parade.

The previous such parade was held in 2019, making this the first in six years. The parade is ostensibly to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Japan in World War II, but it is far more than that. Indeed, this parade gives Chairman Xi Jinping and his mighty People's Liberation Army (PLA) the opportunity to strut in front of China and of the whole world, showing off its latest military kit.

PLA personnel ha...