Flight Delayed in China? Blame the Military

On Thursday morning, a huge military parade will roll through the heart of Beijing to commemorate the end of World War II, or -- as the Chinese are now putting it -- "Victory of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War."

Yet despite the bold display of weaponry and confidence, the authorities are taking no chances that the festivities will be disrupted. In recent days, for example, falcons and macaques have been deployed to chase off birds that might interfere with military flybys. But the most drastic and economically disruptive measure will come Thursday morning, when Beijing Capital International Airport -- the world's second busiest -- will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., disrupting hundreds of flights from China and around the world at significant cost.