A rehearsal for the September 3 Victory Day parade was completed yesterday morning. It was a feast for the eyes, with quite a few people glimpsing the parade from the roadsides. Although the Beijing authorities implemented temporary traffic blockades and controls, most Beijing citizens have not shown much dissatisfaction.

There are large parades such as this every few years in Beijing, and the populace is embracing the parade with excitement.

On the Internet, there is some whining and complaining, but this is not the majority. In fact, in a plural society, opposition is everywhere and emerges at any time.

With the backdrop of Tiananmen Square, the parade will be one of the largest held in a city-center square. Global audiences have paid much attention to the event.

Since the parade is a vastly difficult project, whether it can be a success is a touchstone of an authority's governance, and whether the public supports it is an indication of the nation's unity and solidarity.

The parade does not only showcase China's military prowess, but also presents a snapshot of the entirety of Chinese society, and it will show if China is on an upward trajectory or not.

The parade, some have argued, should be scaled down or canceled because of the devastating blasts in Tianjin in mid-August. But when the photos of the parade were posted online, many people gave a thumbs-up, which has deflated most skeptical voices.

This parade will demonstrate that China is increasingly sophisticated and energetic, while facing a lot of new problems and difficulties. It does not have to belittle itself in front of others, and should not act arrogantly. It needs to advance firmly and confidently for the purpose of national rejuvenation.

China did not invent parades; it learned from other countries. But now, it does not have to imitate them at every step. China does not need a foreign perspective to prove whether the parade is reasonable or not.

In the next weeks, the parade will be in the spotlight of discussions across the country. China is characterized by the massive influence a major event can cause. There will always be a focal point that can draw nationwide attention.

Too much attention will make the public feel nervous. Sometimes, they cannot hold a calm attitude toward a big event. The parade should be seen as a chance for society to enhance its resilience.

The parade will be a success, because it is expected to be so by all Chinese society. It serves the ultimate purpose of improving the unity and solidarity of the Chinese.