China is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China with a huge military parade in Beijing and nationwide celebrations. In Beijing, President Xi Jinping presided over a parade designed to show off the nation's military strength and its rapid rise over the past seven decades to a global power.

But in Hong Kong, where anti-government demonstrations have been raging for three months, protesters took to the streets, threatening to overshadow and disrupt Beijing's carefully crafted celebrations.

Chinese soldiers shout as they march in formation during the 70th anniversary parade.
Chinese soldiers shout as they march in formation during the 70th anniversary parade.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Planes from the Chinese People's Liberation Army air force fly in formation as part of the 70th anniversary celebration in Beijing.
Planes from the Chinese People's Liberation Army air force fly in formation as part of the 70th anniversary celebration in Beijing.
Wang He/Getty Images
Residents watch Chinese military planes fly in formation above the capital city.
Residents watch Chinese military planes fly in formation above the capital city.
Andy Wong/AP
Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping, center, stand on Tiananmen Gate above the large portrait of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping, center, stand on Tiananmen Gate above the large portrait of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
A formation of Dongfeng-17 conventional missiles are featured during the military parade in Beijing.
A formation of Dongfeng-17 conventional missiles are featured during the military parade in Beijing.
Pan Yulong /Xinhua via Getty Images
Participants wave flowers as they march next to a float commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China.
Participants wave flowers as they march next to a float commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, with former presidents Jiang Zemin, right, and Hu Jintao, left, attend the celebration in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, with former presidents Jiang Zemin, right, and Hu Jintao, left, attend the celebration in Beijing.
Ng Han Guan/AP
Balloons fly past a national flag at the end of a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Balloons fly past a national flag at the end of a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images
A protester is seen carrying rocks on a street in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong on October 1. <a target="_blank">Pro-democracy demonstrations continue</a> as the city observes China's National Day.
A protester is seen carrying rocks on a street in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong on October 1. Pro-democracy demonstrations continue as the city observes China's National Day.
Isaac Lawrence/AFP/Getty Images
Army vehicles parade as members of a Chinese military honor guard march during the 70th anniversary celebrations in Beijing.
Army vehicles parade as members of a Chinese military honor guard march during the 70th anniversary celebrations in Beijing.
Ng Han Guan/AP
Participants dressed as deliverymen wave during the parade,
Participants dressed as deliverymen wave during the parade,
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
A child uses binoculars to watch the floats in the anniversary parade.
A child uses binoculars to watch the floats in the anniversary parade.
Andy Wong/AP
An onlooker photographs the Chinese military planes as they trail colored smoke during the celebrations.
An onlooker photographs the Chinese military planes as they trail colored smoke during the celebrations.
Andy Wong/AP
Veterans and relatives of revolutionary martyrs take part in the National Day parade in Tiananmen Square.
Veterans and relatives of revolutionary martyrs take part in the National Day parade in Tiananmen Square.
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese female militia members march in formation.
Chinese female militia members march in formation.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam arrives at the celebrations in Beijing.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam arrives at the celebrations in Beijing.
Sheng Jiapeng/CNS via Reuters
Pro-Beijing supporters wave Chinese flags on the Star Ferry in Hong Kong.
Pro-Beijing supporters wave Chinese flags on the Star Ferry in Hong Kong.
Laurel Chor/Getty Images
Helicopters fly the flags of China and Hong Kong over Victoria Harbour during a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong.
Helicopters fly the flags of China and Hong Kong over Victoria Harbour during a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong.
Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
A screen shows Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering a speech at the start of the parade in Beijing.
A screen shows Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering a speech at the start of the parade in Beijing.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Participants march during the celebration to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China in Beijing.
Participants march during the celebration to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China in Beijing.
Ng Han Guan/AP
A girl holds a Chinese flag as people watch a military parade along the security perimeter established around the official ceremony in Tiananmen Square.
A girl holds a Chinese flag as people watch a military parade along the security perimeter established around the official ceremony in Tiananmen Square.
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese military forces rehearse before the parade.
Chinese military forces rehearse before the parade.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Attendees take photos as they arrive for the commemoration events in Beijing.
Attendees take photos as they arrive for the commemoration events in Beijing.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP