The Front Line | These are the powerful weapon systems you won’t see in China’s military parade

Some of China’s most cutting-edge weaponry will roll through the heart of Beijing in a massive military parade on Wednesday.

The spectacle will mark 80 years since the victory over Japan in World War II. It will also show just how far the People’s Liberation Army has come in an ambitious and fast-paced modernisation drive.

But not everything will be on display. Some of the most potent and advanced weapon systems will remain hidden from public view – either because they are still under development, too sensitive to be revealed, or because it is not possible to include them in the parade.

Most prominent are two sixth-generation stealth fighter jets – unofficially dubbed the J-36 and J-50 – that drew global attention when they made maiden flights at the end of last year. They have since been spotted in more test flights.