Editor's note

In the first few years after the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, Mao Zedong and his fellow leaders wanted to learn how to stage large socialist-style events for the masses. They sent delegations to the USSR to watch how the Soviets did it, and then set about planning their own to mark China’s National Day on October 1.

Today, as communist China celebrates its 70th anniversary with a huge display of military might in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, such parades still play an important role for the Chinese Communist Party to validate the political status and legitimacy of its leadership. Xun Zhou tracks the history of these parades – and the periods when China didn’t have them – to show what they reveal about the changing nature of the state’s concerns and priorities.

And as China marks this anniversary, Ruairidh Brown looks at the role Marxism has in the country today. He argues that the way China continues to champion its role in the battle against imperialism provides it with a useful argument for the continuation – rather than the withering away – of the state.

And don’t miss this story on how researchers proved bacteria can change shape to avoid antibiotics, or a fusion expert explain why the Conservatives’ pledge for nuclear fusion by 2040 is wishful thinking.

Gemma Ware

Global Affairs Editor

Top stories

Preparations for China’s 70th anniversary parade. Wang Zhao/EPA

The history of the People’s Republic of China – through 70 years of mass parades

Xun Zhou, University of Essex

What 70 years of mass military parades reveal about the Chinese Communist Party's rule.

China: 70 years later. How Hwee Young/EPA

People’s Republic of China at 70: how the Chinese state uses Marxism today

Ruairidh Brown, University of Nottingham

What role does Marxist theory about the state play in modern China?

Researchers have evidence of another method that bacteria use to avoid antibiotics. Sirirat/Shutterstock

Antibiotic resistance: researchers have directly proven that bacteria can change shape inside humans to avoid antibiotics

Katarzyna Mickiewicz, Newcastle University

This breakthrough could be key in fighting antibiotic resistance.

Inside a fusion reactor tokamak. Efman/Shutterstock

Conservatives’ ‘nuclear fusion by 2040’ pledge is wishful thinking

Thomas Nicholas, University of York

Nuclear fusion may power our post-carbon societies – but it won't save us from climate change.

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