Skydivers of "Red Lions" team perform during the National Day Parade at Padang near the Marina Bay in Singapore on Aug. 9, 2024. Singapore held a parade on Friday to celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of the "Total Defense" policy at Padang, an open field near the iconic Marina Bay. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
SINGAPORE, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Singapore held a parade on Friday to celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of the "Total Defense" policy at Padang, an open field near the iconic Marina Bay.
Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and other senior officials joined thousands of audiences in the celebration.
Following contingents marching, the republic showcased its defense assets, including fighter jets, helicopters, missile systems, rockets, tanks, and armored vehicles, among other weapons.
Singapore's armed forces and police demonstrated joint tactics to resist external threats and terrorism attacks from air, ground, sea, and cyber spaces. The civil emergency response teams displayed disaster relief efforts.
Singers and dancers also performed at the celebration to honor the founding spirit and development of the island state, with a grand fireworks performance hosted at Marina Bay. ■
Fighter jets perform during the National Day Parade at Padang near the Marina Bay in Singapore on Aug. 9, 2024. Singapore held a parade on Friday to celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of the "Total Defense" policy at Padang, an open field near the iconic Marina Bay. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
A skydiver of "Red Lions" team performs during the National Day Parade at Padang near the Marina Bay in Singapore on Aug. 9, 2024. Singapore held a parade on Friday to celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of the "Total Defense" policy at Padang, an open field near the iconic Marina Bay. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Fireworks light up the sky during the National Day Parade at Padang near the Marina Bay in Singapore on Aug. 9, 2024. Singapore held a parade on Friday to celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of the "Total Defense" policy at Padang, an open field near the iconic Marina Bay. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Fireworks light up the sky during the National Day Parade at Padang near the Marina Bay in Singapore on Aug. 9, 2024. Singapore held a parade on Friday to celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of the "Total Defense" policy at Padang, an open field near the iconic Marina Bay. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
