Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, celebrated with an enormous parade of military hardware.

Our correspondent was in nearly the same spot today as 20 years ago, and the differences in the parades reveal much about China's trajectory.

In Hong Kong, the anniversary is an occasion for yet more protests. Disquiet in the territory

is stretching the mainland's idea of one country, two systems, and is sparking a new wave

of protest art and music. And if you've got your own desk at work, count yourself lucky. Hot-desking is spreading through corporations like a rash.

Sure, it saves the company money, but it costs workers time and a sense of belonging.

The People's Republic of China began with a military parade. Since Mao Zedong inaugurated the Republic 70 years ago today,

where splendid columns of soldiers have marched through Tiananmen Square to mark important milestones.

The spectacles showcase weapons that have become progressively bigger, more sophisticated, and more numerous.

This year's 70th anniversary comes as China contends with a slowing economy on the mainland

and growing discontent in Hong Kong, where today protesters were reportedly fired on with live rounds.

But in Beijing, today's parade was a glittering projection of China's might.

So it's a very grand, very formal event

that takes place at the top end of Tiananmen Square,

just where the forbidden city kind of touches the square.

David Rennie is our Beijing bureau chief.

You have the entire leadership of China looking down from the Tiananmen gate,

and then you have a gigantic military parade.

It begins with a 70-gun salute from artillery pieces in the square.

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