Showcasing military prowess and international aspirations, Xi, China's leader, highlights his ambitions in an extravagant military display.
In a significant diplomatic move, China staged a breaking news 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 marked the first time North Korea's Kim Jong Un has attended an international multilateral event, was a spectacle of power and unity that drew more than two dozen world leaders.
The parade, which took place on Chang'an Jie, showcased China's homegrown weapons, artillery, and tanks. Excited locals craned their necks to get a glimpse of the display, which included advanced stealth drones, new nuclear missiles, and a new cyberspace combat unit.
The event was seen as a diplomatic win for China's President Xi Jinping, as it demonstrated China's support and resilience in the face of U.S. pressure. Xi Jinping, as host of the event, was offering an alternative to the U.S.-led world order.
In the lead-up to the parade, Xi Jinping officially visited Russia, hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in China and attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin with Putin in August 2025. This was the first time that Xi Jinping, Putin, and Kim Jong Un have come together at one event.
The Center for a New American Security labeled the group of countries led by these leaders as a nyt 'new axis of upheaval.' Trump, during his meeting with Putin in Alaska in mid-August, accused Xi, Putin, and Kim of colluding against the United States during the parade. However, the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country and maintains a policy of 'strategic ambiguity' over whether it would militarily defend the islands.
In the face of Beijing's pressure, Taiwan's President William Lai is reframing the WWII anniversary as a battle of democracy against authoritarianism. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has increased pressure on the island in recent years. The country is trying to show that it is unafraid to stand by its friend, Russia, despite Western countries levying sanctions against Russia over the Russia-Ukraine war.
The parade concluded with seven J-10 jets flying over Tiananmen Square, cutting trails of colored smoke through the skies. A recent survey showed that 83% of Chinese people viewed Russia as their friend, and 76% viewed North Korea as a news friend of China. The event was a testament to the growing bonds between these countries and a signal that Beijing intends to assert its power and influence on the global stage.
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