The dress parade on National Day will be a surprise to the public although it will be a "frugal" one against the backdrop of the economic downturn, former Vice Chief-of-Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Zhang Li said?on Thursday.

"The parade was currently under preparation," said Zhang, who just retired from the position of vice chief-of-staff.

"The parade will be prepared with thrift, but it will definitely be a surprise to the people of the nation," said Zhang, now a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation's top political advisory body.

The parade, to be held on Oct. 1 to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, will involve more arms and weapons than all previous parades, according to an order of the Central Military Commission (CMC) last month.

Kou Tie, a deputy to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, and commander of the northwestern Heilongjiang Military Command, said he believed that the parade would be a showcase of China's latest defense capacity, which he said had undergone"a huge stride forward" since the last parade held ten years ago.

Major General Luo Yuan, a political advisor and researcher with the Academy of Military Sciences, suggested to add a part of veteran soldiers in the parade.

"Veteran soldiers made great contribution to the founding of the country," said Luo. "We should not forget them."

By honoring veteran soldiers, China could inspire young people to cherish traditions, he said.

Luo also suggested awarding medals to veteran soldiers who greatly contributed to the founding of the New China.

The CMC instruction said the parade will "promote national pride and self-confidence amid economic hard times."

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2009)