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Years of planning, months of training, day of glory

By Zhu Zhe (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-09 10:38

Precision timing and syncronized movements are the key to a fine formation. [Lu Bingguang/China Daily]

Soldiers can spend their spare time playing badminton, basketball and volleyball, and entertainment is laid on in the shape of open-air movies, as well as singing and dancing performances.

Each block has its own cooking staff and meals include six dishes and a soup for lunch and supper, with about 30 yuan ($4) spent on food per soldier each day, said Fu, who added that the villages were stocked with more than 60 kinds of fruit and vegetables. "The entire procedure is just like for last year's Olympic Games," he said.

The temporary villagers also have access to post offices, banks, barbers and telephone bars, as well as supermarkets, where goods are sold 5 to 20 percent cheaper than in the city.

Among the busiest shops in the villages are cobblers, where around 3.5 tons of hobnails and 750 kg of leather have been used to repair shoes, said Li.

Qin said she has worn out at least three pairs of boots during the several months of constant drilling.

Full Coverage:  60th Anniversary of PRC Related readings:  Training for National Day military parade  Soldiers exercise for military parade on Oct.1  Armed policemen mobilized to protect National Day parade  Beijing marches toward big day with parade rehearsal  1999 National Day military parade

Despite enjoying the preparations for the Oct 1 parade, the Sichuan woman said she is looking forward to returning home to her beloved Beichuan county.

"I haven't been back for a year," she said, teary eyed. "My father always tells me everything is fine when we talk on the phone, but I know they're still living in makeshift homes.

"But for now, my priority is the parade because I represent the whole Qiang group. I cannot let my people down."