The logistical and security masterminds are at it again with the preparations for this years’ military review parade, also known as The National Day Parade. If you thought the orchestration of the 18-day Beijing Olympics was a big deal, you haven’t seen the lengths official planners are going to for the one-day National Day Parade. Displaying China’s rapid rise to military and economic power, the Parade will highlight not only cutting-edge armaments but also over 200,000 participants, a Zhang Yimo fireworks display, and enough security forces to build a second Great Wall.

Aside from the parade itself, planners have gone to some extreme lengths to make sure the National Day Parade is a success. I have compiled just some of the most amazing stories below:

Eradicate the Four Pests
It’s unclear how bugs could put ruin the National Day celebrations, but according to the Times Online, “Beijing is determined to rid the city centre of pests that could spoil celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Communist Party rule.” The efforts are an attempt to keep dignitaries, officials, and parpicipants of the parade safe from epidemics and disease.

Read the full story here

National Flower Beds

No celebration would be complete without flowers and the National Day Parade is no exception. With 22 three dimensional flower beds made up of a total of 3.3 million flowers, the parade will be a florist’s dream. And just when you thought the only new technology on display would be intercontinental warheads, they devised a new flower-watering technology to match.

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Even Pigeons Grounded on China’s National Day
While pest eradication is understandable, planners have gone so far as to ban kites and pigeons during the build-up to the festivities. Both are Old Beijing traditions and are seen as a threat to the air traffic. According to the Irish Times, “It’s not just little birds – big birds are affected also. All flights in and out of Beijing will be cancelled for the duration of the parade on October 1st from 9am to noon. Beijing air traffic controllers have to handle the air force parade team on the National Day.”

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China’s female fighter pilots brace for debut flight on National Day
Lucky for these ladies, pigeons will not be able to get in the way of their fighter jets that will make fly-bys for the parade.  From Xinhua, “Sixteen female fighter pilots are expected to make a debut during the upcoming National Day Parade on Oct. 1. As the country’s first group of female fighter pilots, they graduated from the No. Three Flying College of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force in April. Their first task is to take part in the National Day Parade.”

Read the full story here

China creates logo for 60th anniversary
And just like the Olympics, the 60th Anniversary of the PRC has it’s very own logo that can only be used for merchandise and official use.

CCTV reports that “there are strict rules for its use as the ownership of the logo belongs to the Committee. Without its permission, no organization or individual may use the logo for commercial purposes. For those departments receiving approval, they must follow the rules precisely.”

Read full story here

After a drawn out face-off with landlords, demolition companies, and government officials, Tim Hilbert’s Texas Roadhouse has finally succumb to bulldozers and torch-weilding crews. After many of the bar and restaurant owners of Super Bar Street were forced out by gangs of club-wielding thugs, Hilbert stuck it out, demanding the $650,000 he invested in the Roadhouse. Both the initial offer of $50,000 and a second offer of almost triple that were denied by Hilbert.

In his pursuit for full compensation, Hilbert lived up to his home state’s ‘Lone Star’ reputation. Aside from the lawyers and consultants to do the beaureacratic battles, he hired a half dozen Chinese out-of-town tough guys to defend the bar from late night demolition crews. Even more brazen, he lead a demonstration in front of Zhongnanhai (central headquarters for the Central People’s Government) which lead to a five hour detention by police.

But for all of Hilbert’s tenacity, it was futile in the face of government mandates and eager demolition crews. After a brigade of various law enforcement officials arrived, movers cleared out the last of Hilbert’s property and demolition crews began tearing down the Roadhouse’s haggard facade.

When asked if he would continue to fight, Hilbert responded: “Absolutely, I’m a Texan.”

Links & Sources:

• Wall Street Journal
• Xianguo