China holds rehearsal for military parade with fighter jets, troops from Russia, Cuba

Chinese military planes take part in rehearsals ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. China is ramping up publicity for its upcoming massive military parade but officials still aren't saying what other countries are taking part. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

A Chinese armored fighting vehicle leaves after rehearsals ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. China is ramping up publicity for its upcoming massive military parade but officials still aren't saying what other countries are taking part. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

Chinese military planes fly in formation during a rehearsal ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. China is ramping up publicity for its upcoming massive military parade but officials still aren't saying what other countries are taking part. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (The Associated Press)

Soldiers from China, Russia and other countries have held a rehearsal in the Chinese capital for a military parade next month commemorating the end of World War II.

Fighter jets flew low over Beijing on Sunday and military vehicles rumbled through the center of the city in preparation for the Sept. 3 parade, which is widely seen as a display of the People's Liberation Army's growing capabilities at a time when Beijing is asserting territorial claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

The area was closed to the public but images posted on social media showed troops carrying the flags of Mongolia and Cuba. State media said other governments that will take part in the parade include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Mexico.