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Foreign media tour Military Parade Village
(Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-10 19:09

Beijing's Military Parade Village opened its gates to foreign media for the first time on Thursday.

Foreign media tour Military Parade Village
Paratroops kick their legs in the Military Parade Village, suburb of Beijing during an "open to media" training session September 10, 2009. [China Daily] 

For the past four months, the village has been home to military troops preparing to march in China's 60th National Day celebrations.

The National Day parade, planned for October 1, has attracted attention from around the world.

"Anyone would be interested in seeing this parade," said David Wivell, Senior Producer of the Associated Press’s television news, "They'd be interested because of China's strong growth."

More than 30 media organizations from 17 countries were shown around the village today, with a tour of the training field, logistic base, and living facilities etc.

The village, situated in Beijing's Changping district, was previously used by troops preparing for the 50th National Day parade in 1999.