Amusing article on Beijing's preparations for the National Day parade on Thursday. I love the note about the pigeons.

(I myself saw a fabulous National Day "warm-up" parade on Sunday, happened upon it by accident on the way to the park. It was not at all military, but rather culturally focused and celebratory in tone. People waved mini-Hong Kong and Chinese flags, blew whistles in appreciation of groups they particularly liked, and reached out to touch the swirling Chinese dragons-on-sticks as they danced past. There were even marching bands. My roommate was interviewed by a TV crew. I loved it, not least because it was just a happy accident that I got to see it. Apologies for the lack of photos, I wasn't planning on encountering a parade when I left the house.)