Military aircraft perform during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing,Sept 3, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Other cutting edge weaponry included the PLA's state-of-the-art tanks, its new generation of airborne early warning and control aircraft, carrier-based fighters and attack helicopters which streaked low across the skies.

"I was not aware of how technologically advanced the Chinese army is (before I came here)," Serbian formation leader Marko Marjanovic told Xinhua prior to the parade.

"Our country, which was Yugoslavia at the time, was conquered by foreign occupying force and we also fought for freedom in the same way (as the Chinese)," Marjanovic said. "We see the similarities in there... Serbian people cherish the tradition of (commemorating the end of) WWII."

"Every country, every nation has its own way to pass on its memories between generations. This parade is the perfect way for us," said Katie Chan, honorable chairwoman of Hong Kong-based art concept culture institute.

"It reminds us that peace is hard-won, and that only by embracing the past could we build a better future," she said.