No force can stop China's progress, Xi says in National Day speech

(CNN)President Xi Jinping emphasized unity, development and strength as he addressed the world on the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday, saying: "There is no force that can shake the foundation of this great nation."

Standing in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong declared the founding of the PRC on October 1, 1949, Xi added: "Today a socialist China is standing in front the world."

"No force can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation forging ahead," he said in front of jubilant crowds cheering and waving Chinese flags.

Xi's address was heavy on nationalist strokes, playing into the long-term Communist Party narrative of lifting China from the "century of humiliation" it suffered under the Qing Dynasty, amid invasion by colonial powers including the United Kingdom and Japan.

Xi pointedly brought up Hong Kong, where anti-government protests have been raging for more than three months, saying that China must remain "committed to the strategy of peaceful reinforcement of one country two systems," the framework that governs the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. Protests are expected to continue in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

"We will maintain long-term stability of Hong Kong and Macao, the development of cross-strait relations, and continue to strive for the complete unification of the country," Xi said.

Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army shout during the rehearsal of the parade early morning on October 01, 2019, in Tiananmen Square.

Military might

After inspecting troops along Chang'an Avenue, Xi presided over a massive military parade showing off some of the world's most advanced weaponry.

About 15,000 personnel, more than 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of weaponry and equipment were involved. Key among those was drone technology -- of which Beijing boasts some of the world's best -- and advanced missile systems.

Helicopters flew national flags across the sky and aircraft flew in formation to create a "70," in honor of the 70th anniversary. However the grand effect was spoiled somewhat by high levels of smog -- according to the World Air Quality Index, the AQI in the Chinese capital is 159 today, "unhealthy" on the international scale.

One highlight of the parade was the first public appearance of the the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, said Carnegie Tsinghua Center senior fellow and military analyst Tong Zhao. Much of the pre-event hype had focused on the weapon, thought to be the mainstay of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Forces (PLARF) arsenal and, by some estimations, the most powerful missile on the planet.

China paraded the powerful DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time.

"It is believed to have a big payload capacity, which means it can deliver very heavy payload to very long distances. So most likely this missile will be armed with more than one warhead, but we don't know how many it can accommodate. Some say it can accommodate as much as 10, but we don't know. That would make it very powerful," Tong said.

Along with traditional air drones, China paraded its underwater vehicles including what could be its first undersea drone. Speaking on the live broadcast, a state TV commentator said the underwater drone could "dive deep under the sea" for surveillance and to carry missiles.

China also paraded a range of stealth drones. While the drones were not labeled or announced by state TV, analysts had predicted their appearance for weeks. One drone, the DR-8, is thought to be able to fly up to five times the speed of sound.

Another heavyweight was the giant JL-2 submarine missile -- the main weapon aboard China's Jin-class fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

A colorful "citizens march" followed the military parade with 100,000 people, 70 floats and 36 formations organized around the themes of founding of a nation, reform and opening up, and great rejuvenation.

The JL-2 submarine missiles parade down Chang'an Avenue in Beijing.

Image of strength and unity

Beijing has been on high alert for weeks, with a heavy security clampdown including road closures, the banning of flying drones, kites and even racing pigeons, as well as greater restrictions on the already-heavily censored internet.

Early Tuesday, the enormous streets of the Chinese capital were almost completely deserted. Checkpoints manned by dozens of guards and metal barriers had blocked all roads leading to Tiananmen Square, rendering large parts of the inner city entirely inaccessible.

Hundreds of Chinese flags adorned streets and shopping malls, and cinemas were running exclusive screenings of the military parade.

There was an air of excitement among residents. In Dongcheng district, retired 67-year-old Guo Fucheng said he planned to watch the parade at home with his dog, Feifei.

"China has been through so many rains and storms ... I feel very proud of our country, we now have more say on the global stage," he said.

Beijing is hoping to project an image of national strength and unity.

"It is to show how much progress it has made, and how much more advanced it is compared to years before. Now, China has better capability to defend itself. It deserves equal and fair treatment from other powers," Tong told CNN in Beijing.

The parade is also designed to show the capabilities of President Xi, who is the country's most powerful leader since Mao. "This parade highlights him as the paramount leader in China who is loved and applauded by the general public. Despite external challenges, he can still enjoy wide public support which he sees as necessary for China as a nation to continue this struggle," Tong said.

A woman takes a selfie during a pro-Beijing flash mob rally in the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong on October 1, 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of communist China's founding.

But Xi is facing major tests including the ongoing US-China trade war, rising pork prices and his defining Belt and Road Initiative, a hugely ambitious trade and infrastructure mega-project linking China to markets across central Asia, Europe and Africa that is failing to deliver the economic boom it once promised.

Anti-government protests in Hong Kong are also threatening Xi's image of a man in control. Pro-democracy protesters have planned citywide demonstrations across the city on Tuesday, threatening to overshadow and disrupt Beijing's carefully crafted celebrations.

By 9 a.m. local time, there were already reports of protesters being pepper sprayed by police, and more unrest is expected as demonstrators fan out across the city.

Hong Kong unrest threatens to overshadow celebrations

Protesters protect themselves after a group occupied a main road near the central government offices in Hong Kong on Saturday, September 28.

A man is detained by Hong Kong police during a protest in the Causeway Bay shopping district on Sunday, September 29.

A pro-democracy protester throws a tear gas canister back at police on September 29.

Passengers look out from a bus at a burning barricade lit by pro-democracy protesters during a gathering in front of Mong Kok police station on Sunday, September 22, in Hong Kong, China. Pro-democracy protesters have continued demonstrations across Hong Kong, calling for the city's Chief Executive Carrie Lam to immediately meet the rest of their demands, including an independent inquiry into police brutality, the retraction of the word riot to describe the rallies, and genuine universal suffrage, as the territory faces a leadership crisis.

Pro-democracy protesters sing songs and chant slogans during a rally inside a shopping mall in Shatin on September 22.

An umbrella is abandoned near barricades during a protest in Hong Kong on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Demonstrators have marched through an outlying district of Hong Kong in another weekend of protest aimed at the Chinese territory's government.

An anti-government protester throws a Molotov cocktail during a demonstration near Central Government Complex in Hong Kong on Sunday, September 15.

A pro-China supporter, center, is escorted by police after confronting journalists in Hong Kong, on September 15.

Pro-government and anti-government supporters chant against one another at a shopping mall in Hong Kong on Friday, September 13. The sign translates to "Stop violence and curb chaos; safeguard Hong Kong."

Demonstrators hold up their cell phone lights as they form a human chain at the Peak, a tourist spot in Hong Kong, on September 13.

Police escort an injured man after he attacked protesters outside Prince Edward station in Hong Kong on Friday, September 6.

Protesters burn paper money to pay their respects to injured protesters.

Protesters prepare to clash with police outside the Mong Kok police station on September 6.

A protester is detained by police at the Po Lam Mass Transit Railway station on Thursday, September 5.

A man watches televisions at a store in Hong Kong as Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces the withdrawal of the extradition bill on Wednesday, September 4.

A woman gets emotional on September 4 while paying her respects to protesters who were injured a few days earlier.

Police aim at protesters outside the Mong Kok police station on September 4.

Demonstrators travel through a railway station during a rally on Tuesday, September 3.

Students wearing gas masks and helmets hold a banner that reads "five major demands are indispensable" at St. Francis' Canossian College in Hong Kong.

Protesters gather in the bus terminal at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday, September 1. Hundreds of pro-democracy activists attempted to block transport routes to the city's airport.

A passenger walks to the airport on September 1 as pro-democracy protesters blocked a road outside the airport.

A protester uses a slingshot outside the Central Government Complex during clashes with police on Saturday, August 31. Thousands of pro-democracy protesters held an anti-government rally one day after several leading activists and lawmakers were arrested in a sweeping crackdown.

Protesters stand in front of a burning barricade as clashes with the police intensified on August 31.

Protesters light a Molotov cocktail on August 31.

Police officers move forward during clashes with protesters on August 31.

Protesters take cover as policemen fire blue-colored water on them. Blue dye can be used to stain and identify masked protesters.

A surveillance camera is covered with white paint during protests.

An overhead view shows protesters reacting after police fired tear gas on August 31.

Pro-democracy activists Agnes Chow and Joshua Wong speak to the media after they were released on bail at the Eastern Magistrates Courts on Friday, August 30. They were arrested earlier the same day in a dragnet across Hong Kong.

Protesters clash with police after a rally in Hong Kong's Tsuen Wan district on Sunday, August 25. It was one of the most violent nights seen in Hong Kong since mass protests began in June.

A police officer aims a gun in front of a protester on August 25.

Some protesters shine laser pointers at police lines on August 25.

Protesters and police clash on Saturday, August 24.

Protesters pick up bricks to be used as projectiles on August 24.

Police retreat after clashing with protesters on August 24.

People link hands as they gather at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront on Friday, August 23. Protesters formed a human chain across Hong Kong in a show of solidarity.

Cell phones shine from the top of Lion Rock on August 23.

Protesters march under umbrellas on Sunday, August 18.

Tens of thousands of protesters showed up in the streets on August 18.

A protester participates in a march on Saturday, August 17. His eye is covered with red gauze, referencing a woman who was allegedly shot in the eye with a beanbag round during clashes between protesters and police.

A protester ties a white ribbon, symbolizing the pure intentions of young protesters, during a march organized by teachers in Hong Kong on August 17.

Protesters react after police fired tear gas to disperse a demonstration at the Sham Shui Po police station in Hong Kong on Wednesday, August 14.

Protesters point lasers at the Sham Shui Po police station on August 14.

A police officer falls over an airport luggage trolley during a scuffle with pro-democracy protesters on Tuesday, August 13. For two days, protesters flooded the airport. Check-ins were suspended and dozens of outgoing flights were canceled.

Police use pepper spray to disperse protesters at the airport on August 13.

Police and protesters clash at the airport on August 13. The violence came after Hong Kong's Airport Authority announced that all check-in services would be suspended for another night because of terminal operations being "seriously disrupted."

A traveler passes her luggage to security guards as she tries to enter the departures gate.

A display board shows canceled flights on August 13.

Anti-government protesters stand at a barricade made of luggage trolleys during a demonstration at the airport on August 13.

Medics look after a woman who received a facial injury during clashes on Sunday, August 11.

A pro-democracy protester is held by police outside the Tsim Sha Tsui police station on August 11.

Police fire tear gas at protesters during a demonstration in the Wong Tai Sin District on Monday, August 5.

A train passenger gestures toward a protester, right, who was preventing the doors of a train from closing on August 5. The protester was trying to disrupt Hong Kong's morning rush-hour commute.

A man lies down on an underground train during a protest on August 5.

A man comforts his pregnant wife near a train platform after protesters blocked the train doors on August 5.

A protester stands in tear gas during a confrontation with police in the early hours of Sunday, August 4.

A Chinese flag floats in water after it was thrown by protesters during a demonstration on Saturday, August 3.

A protester sprays paint on a wall on August 3.

Members of Hong Kong's medical sector attend a protest in Edinburgh Place on Friday, August 2.

The emblem on the China Liaison Office is protected by plexiglass during a demonstration on Sunday, July 28.

A protester flees from baton-wielding police in the Yuen Long district of Hong Kong on Saturday, July 27.

A protester looks through umbrellas during the clashes with police on July 27.

Travelers watch as protesters rally at Hong Kong's international airport on Friday, July 26.

Protesters clash with police on Sunday, July 21.

Masked men in white T-shirts are seen after attacking anti-extradition bill demonstrators at a train station in Yuen Long.

Medical workers help a protester affected by tear gas on July 21.

The office of pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho was trashed by protesters in Hong Kong's Tsuen Wan district.

Police officers use pepper spray to disperse protesters after a rally in the Sheung Shui district on Saturday, July 13.

A demonstrator sprays paint inside a chamber at Hong Kong's Legislative Council building, where protesters forced their way in on Monday, July 1.

The meeting hall of the Legislative Council is taken over by demonstrators on July 1.

A protester smashes a window of the Legislative Council building.

Columns of sunlight are cast on a crowd during the march on July 1.

Helicopters carrying the flags of China and Hong Kong fly over demonstrators on July 1.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Roy Kwong rallies demonstrators with a megaphone on July 1.

A police officer uses pepper spray during a clash with protesters on July 1.

A protester wearing a T-shirt with the word "revolution" walks past an inscription on a road that reads "Long Live HK."

Police detain protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1.

An overhead view shows thousands of protesters marching through a Hong Kong street on Sunday, June 16.

Protesters run after police fired tear gas on Wednesday, June 12.

Protesters face off with police during the rally on June 12.

By the morning of June 12, tens of thousands of mainly young people had arrived in the area, blocking streets and bringing central Hong Kong to a standstill.

A demonstrator holds a sign during the June 12 rally.

Police officers charge toward protesters during clashes on Monday, June 10. It was a continuation of protests that started the day before.

Protesters hold pictures of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Sunday, June 9.

Protesters on June 9 waved placards and wore white -- the designated color of the rally. "Hong Kong, never give up!" some chanted.

Students wear chains during a demonstration on Saturday, June 8.

The formal celebrations in Hong Kong began with a flag-raising ceremony typical of official holidays at the city's Golden Bauhania Square, while helicopters bearing Chinese and Hong Kong flags also did a flyby.

But the annual National Day fireworks have been canceled and a number of key subway stations closed over safety concerns.

Protesters, many of whom are strongly anti-China, have planned a series of demonstrations in six different districts across the city, as well as a mass march that wasn't approved by police -- making it an unlawful assembly.

The past few days have been marked with violence as protesters clashed with riot police in the 17th consecutive weekend of demonstrations. Protesters threw petrol bombs and set fires as police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, bean bag rounds and a water cannon tinted with blue dye. An officer also fired one live warning shot into the air on Sunday evening.

At a press conference Monday, local police said the protests were "moving one step closer to terrorism."

"We are on the verge of extreme danger," a police official said. "All acts are one step closer to terrorism. We are deeply concerned about public safety tomorrow and we express the strongest condemnation against all criminal and violent acts."

The protests, initially over a now-withdrawn extradition bill to mainland China, have grown more violent as the weeks pushed on, evolving to include five demands including universal suffrage.

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam attended the celebrations in Beijing alongside 240 other delegates from the city.

CNN's Jessie Yeung, Ben Westcott and Brad Lendon contributed.

By Helen Regan and James Griffiths, CNN >>