China's president Xi showcases military power and international aspirations through an extravagant military showcase
Headline: China Marks WWII Victory with Grand Military Parade, Amidst Global Tensions
China staged a grand military parade on September 3, 2025, in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of imperial Japan and the end of World War II. The event, which was attended by more than two dozen world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, aimed to showcase China's military might and its ambition to reshape the global order.
Notably absent from the event was any official delegation from Taiwan. Only China and certain allied or aligned states sent high-level representatives, with no mention of Taiwan’s government attending or being represented. This move by China highlights the ongoing tension between the two nations, as China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has increased pressure on the island in recent years.
During the parade, advanced stealth drones, new nuclear missiles, and a new cyberspace combat unit were displayed, underscoring China's military modernisation. Xi Jinping, as host of the event, offered an alternative to the U.S.-led world order in his speech, suggesting a shift in global power dynamics.
Meanwhile, Taipei's President William Lai used the WWII anniversary to reframe the war as a battle of democracy against authoritarianism, seeking to paint China's current government as a threat. In recent months, Trump has stated that he wants to meet with China's Xi and North Korea's Kim, but during the parade, he accused Xi, Putin, and Kim of colluding against the United States on social media.
The gathering of Xi Jinping, Putin, and Kim Jong Un at one event was the first time for leaders of a group labeled as a "new axis of upheaval" by the Center for a New American Security. The diplomatic win of the military parade is seen by China as a way to show that it is not susceptible to U.S. pressure.
Interestingly, Wednesday's event was the first time North Korea's Kim Jong Un attended an international multilateral event. According to a recent survey, 76% of Chinese people viewed North Korea as a friend of China, while 83% viewed Russia as their friend.
In the midst of this global gathering, ordinary people in Beijing were invited to attend the parade, with tens of thousands in attendance. As the world watches, the implications of this event and the shifting alliances will continue to unfold. The United States, which does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country and maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity" over whether it would militarily defend the islands, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in these developing geopolitical dynamics.
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