China hosts military parade on 80th anniversary of end of Second World War

Armoured vehicles take part in the military parade (Ng Han Guan/AP)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said humanity must choose between peace and war and dialogue and confrontation in a speech Wednesday, before a major military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Mr Xi started a brief address by remembering the Chinese veterans of the war and called for the eradication of the roots of war to prevent history from repeating itself.