A military parade will be held on the 70th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist War on Sep 3, the first to be staged other than on National Day and the first since President Xi Jinping took office in 2012, People's Daily reported.

The official account at social media platform WeChat said the parade is intended to deter Japan by displaying China's military might. The country will never allow Japan to challenge the postwar order concerning China's interests.

The article also said the occasion would enhance Chinese people's sense of pride and confidence by showing off the Chinese army's morale and armaments.

It also said the event aims to tell corrupt officials that the army, together with the Party's disciplinary inspections and political and legal systems, is in the hands of the Party and the people.

The parade will be held in Beijing, Fu Zhenghua, deputy minister of Public Security and director of Beijing Public Security Bureau, said during the annual sessions of the Municipal People's Congress and the Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference, Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po reported.

It will reportedly be the first time foreign leaders have attended a grand parade with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend. China has previously said Chinese and Russian leaders will take part in a 70th anniversary commemoration.