China held a massive military parade in central Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II. Among the distinguished guests invited to witness the event were 16 overseas Chinese leaders, businesspeople and friends with close ties to Zhongshan.

Isabel Yung, a Costa Rican overseas Chinese community leader, attending the event for the fourth time, couldn't conceal her excitement after watching the parade. She was moved by the impeccably synchronized marching contingents, the impressive displays of national strength through military hardware, and the awe-inspiring aerial formations. All these left her feeling "incredibly proud." She viewed the parade as "not just a national celebration, but also a platform for the world to witness a peaceful and thriving China."

"The power of the military is awe-inspiring, and a profound sense of national pride wells up spontaneously!" Yung's words echoed the sentiments of all the overseas Chinese leaders present.

"I woke up at 3 am to prepare!" Chen Weiguo, president of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Trinidad and Tobago, was attending the parade for the third time. For him, the parade was not merely a demonstration of military prowess; it was "a 'Declaration of Peace' from an ancient civilization to the world."