Storyline: Dozens of helicopters flew over Tian'anmen Square during Wednesday's V-Day parade in Beijing, forming the numerical shapes 8 and 0 in honor of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The formation was composed of 45 helicopters in three groups, all of them Chinese homegrown aircraft. At the forefront, three Z-20 utility helicopters flew over, escorting flags of the Communist Party of China, the People's Republic of China, and the People's Liberation Army. Each of the three helicopters was flanked by two Z-10 armed helicopters in tight formation. In perfect synchrony, nine aircraft passed solemnly over Tian'anmen Square. "Flying the Z-20 with the flag of the People's Liberation Army over Tian'anmen Square to be reviewed by the Party and the people is the highest honor for us as pilots," said Zhang Qiqi, a Z-20 pilot. "In this mission, I flew the left-wing helicopter to escort the national flag. It is a supreme honor to fly the Z-10 in this mission and to be reviewed by President Xi and the entire nation. With perfect synchrony and precision, our formation tells the Party and the people: the motherland can count on us," said Yang Liyuan, a Z-10 pilot. Following the flag-bearing echelon, 26 Z-19 armed helicopters flew over in the numeric formation. According to pilots, this feat required rigorous training. "To fly the helicopters with perfectly synchronized precision under varying weather conditions is always a challenge. Wind direction and wind speed shift constantly, coupled with chaotic wake turbulence from multiple aircraft, requiring the pilot to make constant judgments and to execute precise control. The helicopter flies at 42 meters per second, but the distance between each aircraft spans only 20 to 30 meters, so pilots have to react within seconds. It demands the utmost psychological, physical capabilities, and technical skill of pilots," Gao Shuai, a pilot, explained. Another formation flying over the parade in a triangular formation included three Z-8L transport helicopters, carrying banners that respectively read "Justice prevails", "Peace prevails" and "The people prevail." "To achieve synchrony and precision while keeping banners vertical and still with flag surfaces fully extended presented huge challenges for the pilots. Each gathering and takeoff follows combat standards. We execute takeoffs with banners on schedule and entry into formation with accuracy," said Zhang Qianyang, a Z-8L transport helicopter pilot. The Z-20T helicopter made its debut at the parade as the new generation of domestically developed aircraft, intended for striking and transportation. It was adapted from the Z-20 utility helicopter. Zhang Jiayang is one of the first instructors to train for the Z-20T. He piloted a crew with an average age of only 27, the youngest of the entire flag-guarding echelon. "Only those who can fight can stop war. As a soldier, I can fly the Z-20T over Tian'anmen Square to honor history and look to the future, which makes me understand why attending the parade will bring life-long honor. The Z-20T represents significant progress in combat performance, handling quality, and application scenarios," the pilot said. Shotlist: Beijing, China - Sept 3, 2025: 1. Various of flag-guarding air echelon taking part in V-Day parade China - Recent: 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhang Qiqi, pilot (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3): "Flying the Z-20 with the flag of the People's Liberation Army over Tian'anmen Square to be reviewed by the Party and the people is the highest honor for us as pilots." 3. Various of training in progress, helicopters flying 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yang Liyuan, pilot (starting with shot 3/ending with shot 5): "In this mission, I flew the left-wing helicopter to escort the national flag. It is a supreme honor to fly the Z-10 in this mission and to be reviewed by President Xi and the entire nation. With perfect synchrony and precision, our formation tells the Party and the people: the motherland can count on us." 5. Various of training in progress, helicopters flying 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Gao Shuai, pilot (ending with shot 7): "To fly the helicopters with perfectly synchronized precision under varying weather conditions is always a challenge. Wind direction and wind speed shift constantly, coupled with chaotic wake turbulence from multiple aircraft, requiring the pilot to make constant judgments and to execute precise control. The helicopter flies at 42 meters per second, but the distance between each aircraft spans only 20 to 30 meters, so pilots have to react within seconds. It demands the utmost psychological, physical capabilities, and technical skill of pilots." 7. Various of training in progress, helicopters flying Beijing, China - Sept 3, 2025: 8. Various of flag-guarding air echelon taking part in V-Day parade China - Recent: 9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhang Qianyang, pilot (starting with shot 8): "To achieve synchrony and precision while keeping banners vertical and still with flag surfaces fully extended presented huge challenges for the pilots. Each gathering and takeoff follows combat standards. We execute takeoffs with banners on schedule and entry into formation with accuracy." 10. Various of training in progress, helicopters flying 11. Z-20T helicopter 12. Various of instructor Zhang Jiayang inspecting helicopter, getting on helicopter 13. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhang Jiayang, pilot (starting with shot 12/ending with shot 14): "Only those who can fight can stop war. As a soldier, I can fly the Z-20T over Tian'anmen Square to honor history and look to the future, which makes me understand why attending the parade will bring life-long honor. The Z-20T represents significant progress in combat performance, handling quality, and application scenarios." 14. Various of training in progress, helicopters flying Beijing, China - Sept 3, 2025: 15. Flag-guarding air echelon taking part in V-Day parade. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]