Beijing: China showcased its military might on Tuesday with an elaborate parade in Tiananmen Square, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. President Xi Jinping presided over the event alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a spectacle that highlighted both China’s growing defense capabilities and its strategic partnerships with Moscow and Pyongyang.
In his address to tens of thousands gathered, Xi declared that humanity now stands at a critical juncture, forced to choose between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win cooperation or zero-sum conflict.” His words carried strong undertones aimed at the West, particularly the United States, as Beijing positions itself as a counterweight to what it calls Western “hegemonism.”
The parade itself was a dramatic display of modern warfare technologies. Hypersonic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and precision battle tanks rolled through the square as formations of troops marched in perfect synchrony. Fighter jets and bombers streaked overhead in aerial formations, underscoring China’s ambition to rival the most advanced militaries in the world.
What made the event particularly significant was the presence of Putin and Kim, both leaders largely isolated by Western governments. Putin’s attendance symbolized the strengthening of Russia-China ties at a time when Moscow faces international sanctions, while Kim, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae in her first major global appearance, received implicit support for his regime’s controversial nuclear ambitions.
Authorities had prepared for weeks to stage the 70-minute parade. Roads, schools, and much of central Beijing were shut down, while thousands of security personnel ensured the event remained tightly controlled. The image of Xi reviewing the troops beneath the portrait of Mao Zedong projected a message of continuity, strength, and loyalty to the Communist Party’s leadership.
While China celebrated its show of unity and power, reactions abroad were cautious. U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the parade as “for show,” while suggesting on social media that Xi, Putin, and Kim were “conspiring against the United States.” His remarks revealed the unease in Western capitals about the symbolism of the three leaders standing together on such a prominent stage.
For Xi Jinping, the parade was more than a commemoration of the past it was a carefully choreographed message about the future. In a world he described as “running away from stability,” China’s leader sought to cast himself as both a guardian of peace and a commander of formidable military strength, leaving the global community to ponder whether this path will ultimately lead to cooperation or confrontation.