Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver an important speech at the event.

A military parade and mass pageantry will be held following the gathering, said Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Grand military parade to mark 70th anniversary of People's Republic of China

China will hold a grand military parade in Beijing on its National Day, which falls on Oct 1, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Major General Cai Zhijun, deputy director of the Central Military Commission's Joint Staff Department, told a news conference in Beijing on Thursday that the parade, an important part of the national celebration taking place in front of Tian'anmen Square, will unveil some advance new weapons and equipment.

All the equipment displayed will be domestically developed and in service, he said.