Ceremony on Sept 3 to draw 49 countries, 30 leaders

Senior Chinese officials have confirmed that representatives of 49 countries and 30 foreign leaders will attend China's V-Day celebrations on Sept 3. Seventeen countries will join the morning military parade, with participants from six continents.

Chinese and European analysts pinned high hopes on the message of peace to be delivered because the September gathering is representative and the contributions made by the Chinese people to end the war should not be forgotten.

In addition to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye, attending heads of state will include Myanmar President Thein Sein and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Britain will send former justice minister Kenneth Clarke, France will be represented by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and the United States will be represented by its ambassador to China.