They roll down Beijing streets, covered from prying eyes by huge tarpaulins, but the silhouettes of missiles, tanks and undersea vehicles are unmistakable as China prepares for its most revealing military parade in six years.

China will mark Japan’s defeat in World War II with a parade of missiles, soldiers and leaders like Kim Jong-un of North Korea and Vladimir Putin of Russia.

China's President Xi Jinping will host world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin and India's Narendra Modi from Sunday for a summit before a huge military parade as he seeks to showcase a