A grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War starts at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

A grand commemorative meeting started in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday morning to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Amid gun salutes, honor guards escorted the national flag from the Monument to the People's Heroes in the square center northward to the flagpole.

As the flag was raised, the entire assembly joined in singing the national anthem -- March of the Volunteers -- which was born during the wartime.

Wednesday's commemorations will include a military parade. 

A grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua)

This photo shows members of a joint military band and people attending a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

A grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is held in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Honor guards escort the Chinese national flag during a grand gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Yu)

Soldiers escort the Chinese national flag for a flag-raising ceremony during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

A grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is held in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Soldiers escort the Chinese national flag for a flag-raising ceremony during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Soldiers escort the Chinese national flag for a flag-raising ceremony during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Soldiers escort the Chinese national flag for a flag-raising ceremony during a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)