Chinese President Xi Jinping has showcased his country’s military strength at a major parade attended by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, alongside a host of other foreign leaders.
The event, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, was aimed at both boosting support for the Communist Party and showing Beijing as a global alternative to the American-dominated postwar era.
The ceremony is the first major military parade in China since 2019 on the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China, and is also the first time Xi, Putin and Kim have met together.
It also comes as Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and volatile policymaking strain its relations with allies and rivals alike.
Xi warned the world was facing a choice between peace or war as he held his country’s largest-ever military parade.
“Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” he told a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square, adding that the Chinese people “firmly stand on the right side of history”.
China’s first operational hypersonic cruise missile, is seen during the parade (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)Helicopters trailing large banners and fighter jets flew in formation above during the 70-minute showcase thick with symbolism and propaganda which culminated in the release of 80,000 peace doves and colourful balloons.
Wearing a suit in the style of those worn by former leader Mao Zedong, Xi earlier greeted the more than 20 leaders saying “Nice to meet you” and “Welcome to China” in English.
Xi has cast World War Two as a major turning point in the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, in which it overcame the humiliation of Japan’s invasion to become an economic and geopolitical powerhouse.
Earlier this week, Xi unveiled his vision of a new global order at a regional security summit, calling for unity against “hegemonism and power politics”, a thinly veiled swipe at his rival across the Pacific Ocean.
Trump accuses countries of conspiring against US
The US president, in a post on Truth Social as the parade kicked off, highlighted America’s role in helping China secure its freedom from Japan.
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump added.
Trump had earlier told reporters he did not see the parade as a challenge to the United States and reiterated his “very good relationship” with Xi.
Japan’s top government spokesperson declined to comment on the parade on Wednesday, adding Asia’s top two economies were building constructive relations.
Much of the weaponry and equipment in the parade was being shown to the public for the first time, according to Chinese military officials.
They included land, sea and air-based strategic weapons, advanced precision warfare equipment and drones. Warplanes and helicopters flew in formation in the skies overhead.
A DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile seen during the military parade (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)Among them was the DF-5C, a new type of China’s Dongfeng-5 nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which uses liquid fuel and is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.
Marching in the parade alongside the traditional People’s Liberation Army units from the navy and army, were the new cyberspace unit. It is in charge of cybersecurity defence measures, according to the official Xinhua news agency, and also participated in live-fire drills.
Another debut was the information support force, created in 2024 to build network information systems to support military combat readiness.
“Xi feels confident that the table has turned. It’s China that is back in the driver’s seat now,” said Wen-Ti Sung, fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, based in Taiwan.
“It’s been Trumpian unilateralism rather than China’s wolf warrior diplomacy when people talk about the leading source of uncertainty in the international system,” he added.
Foreign leaders in powerful photo
Putin and Kim were the main guests of honour at the parade, flanking Xi as they climbed the stairs up to the viewing platform on the gate that looks out on Tiananmen Square.
Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un and heads of foreign delegations attended the parade (Photo: Alexander Kazakov/Reuters)Kim, debuting in his first major multilateral event, became the first North Korean to attend a Chinese military parade in 66 years.
He travelled to Beijing with his daughter Ju Ae, whom South Korean intelligence consider his most likely successor although she was not seen alongside him at the parade.
Analysts have been watching for signs of whether Xi, Putin and Kim may signal closer defence relations following a pact signed by Russia and North Korea in June 2024, and a similar alliance between Beijing and Pyongyang.
Putin has already used the occasion to seal deeper energy deals with China, while the gathering has given Kim an opportunity to gain implicit support for his banned nuclear weapons.
However were not the only foreign leaders in attendance. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, facing widespread protests at home, made a surprise appearance.
About two dozen foreign leaders attended, including from Pakistan, Iran, Cuba, Republic of Congo, Serbia, Zimbabwe and Belarus.
With agencies
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