BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- A grand commemorative meeting started in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday morning to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Amid gun salutes, honor guards escorted the national flag from the Monument to the People's Heroes in the square center northward to the flagpole.

As the flag was raised, the entire assembly joined in singing the national anthem -- March of the Volunteers -- which was born during the wartime.

Wednesday's commemorations will include a military parade.