Beijing: In a grand display of military strength and geopolitical alignment, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a massive military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. The event featured over 50,000 spectators and was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marking their first joint public appearance with Xi.
The parade showcased China's advanced military capabilities, including hypersonic missiles, unmanned underwater drones, and a weaponized robotic wolf. Xi's keynote address emphasized a stark choice facing the world: "peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum." He portrayed China as steadfastly aligned with the "right side of history," positioning the nation as a counterbalance to Western influence.
The event underscored China's growing military prowess and strategic partnerships, particularly with Russia and North Korea, both of whom face international isolation. While the West largely boycotted the parade, Xi's message resonated with allied nations, signaling China's intent to assert its leadership in global affairs.
Analysts view the parade as a strategic move to bolster domestic support and project China's power on the world stage. The presence of Putin and Kim not only symbolizes strengthened trilateral ties but also serves as a direct challenge to Western hegemony. As the global community watches closely, China's military display serves as a reminder of its rising influence and ambitions in shaping the future international order.
In a related development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged full support to Russian President Vladimir Putin, promising to assist "with everything" as gratitude for North Korea's troop deployment to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. The leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the military parade, marking the first joint appearance of the three since the Cold War era.