Yan Cong

Photographer

yan-cong.com

The Military Parade

Location: Beijing

Nationality: China

Biography: Yan Cong (b.1991) is an independent photographer based in Beijing, where she was born and raised. She focuses most of her long-term projects on women’s issues, rural China, and China’s relations with its neighbors. In 2015, Yan was... read on

Photography image - Loading parade_001.jpg

The Oriental Plaza fenced for security reasons on September 1, 2015, two days before the military parade. The plaza, a shopping mall and office in Wangfujing, Beijing, China was ordered to shut down for three days from September 1 to ensure the security of the parade.

Photography image - Loading parade_002.jpg

An armed policeman safeguards the Oriental Plaza, a shopping mall and office in Wangfujing, Beijing, China on September 1, 2015, two days before the military parade.

Photography image - Loading parade_003.jpg

A newsstand in Beijing shut down on September 1, 2015, two days before the military parade. The sign reads "Closed until September 4."

Photography image - Loading parade_004.jpg

An empty Internet cafe in Wangfujing, Beijing on September 1, 2015. Entertainment activities were ordered to stop in central Beijing two days before the military parade.

Photography image - Loading parade_005.jpg

Two vegetable vendors stay at their stall till the last minute before they're asked to close at 3pm September 1, 2015. Some other stalls in the market is already closed.

Photography image - Loading parade_006.jpg

People take photos as they watch the aircrafts from the military parade flying past on East Zhushikou Street, September 3, 2015.

Photography image - Loading parade_007.jpg

A boy looks through his binocular when he's waiting to see the aircrafts from the military parade on East Zhushikou Street, September 3, 2015.

Photography image - Loading parade_008.jpg

Two girs hold China's flag on East Zhushikou Street, September 3, 2015.

Photography image - Loading parade_009.jpg

The owner of a shut-down convenient store in Wangfujing area stands at the door looking out on September 1, 2015, two days before the military parade. The sign on the door reads "reopen on 4th."

Photography image - Loading parade_010.jpg

A security guard safeguards the empty West 3rd Ring Road at midnight on August 27th, 2015. Beijing sees a never-seen-before effort to ensure security during the two weeks before the military parade on September 3, 2015.

Public Story

The Military Parade

Credits: yan cong

Updated: 09/23/15

Location: Beijing, China

Archived as: China, Military, Photography, Photojournalism, Politics, security, Society

For the first time in 70 years, China decided to celebrate the victory of WWII with a military parade. During the run-up to the event, Beijing got ready with a never-seen-before level of ubiquitous security personnel-- police, armed police, security guards, security volunteers, as well as traffic restrictions, markets shut-down, etc., all in the name of security.

The following photos are the result of a personal edit from an assignment for Caixin.com.