China marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a grand military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, showcasing its military prowess and unity.
The event was attended by 26 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also the head of the country’s military and the Chinese Communist Party, oversaw the parade, emphasizing China’s commitment to peaceful development.
The parade featured advanced military equipment, including stealth fighters, tanks, and ballistic missiles. Xi’s speech highlighted China’s victory over “Japanese aggression” in the “world anti-fascist war” and thanked foreign governments for their help.
Notably, Xi did not mention the United States by name, despite its prominent role in ending World War II. According to an official readout of his speech, Xi said, “Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games.”
China’s military parade was a display of its advanced weaponry and military capabilities. The event featured hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and long-range intercontinental missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, noted that the parade was meant to reinforce the impression that China has arrived as a great power under Xi’s leadership.
“For Xi, the point is to reinforce the impression that the [People’s Republic of China, PRC] has arrived as a great power under his leadership,” Chong said. “Another is the array of leaders at the parade, which suggests that the PRC cannot be isolated, and is unafraid of pressure and bullying, particularly from the United States,” he added.
US President Donald Trump questioned whether Xi would acknowledge the role the US played in World War II, writing on social media, “the big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that the United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader.”
Trump also extended his warmest regards to Putin and Kim Jong Un, saying, “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
The military parade commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, marking a significant event in world history. Xi’s attendance and speech highlighted China’s role in the war and its commitment to peace and development.
Ireport24news noted that the event is deeply rooted in China’s national psyche, saying, “It really is difficult to understate how much of this is a part of the national psyche, the psyche of the Communist Party that, in the previous 100 years [before World War II], China was repressed, invaded and humiliated by foreign forces.” Yu added that Xi was making a point that “that will never happen again”.
Advanced Military Equipment on Display
The military parade featured a wide range of advanced military equipment, including hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and long-range intercontinental missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
China’s strategic bombers, such as the H-6N, H-6K, and H-6J, were also showcased during the parade. These bombers are part of the PLA’s air-based long-range strike forces. Additionally, China displayed its air defense systems, including the HongQi-20, HongQi-19, and HongQi-29, which are capable of multi-phase and multi-layered missile interception.
Significance of Putin and Kim’s Presence
The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the military parade was significant, as it marked a rare joint appearance by the two leaders alongside Xi Jinping. This display of unity among the three nations was seen as a message to the West, particularly the United States.
According to Lam Peng Er, principal research fellow at the East Asian Institute, “China also shows that it has convening power and political influence to bring Putin and Kim Jong Un together.”
Xi’s Message of Unity and Strength
In his speech, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of unity and strength in the face of global challenges. He stated that “the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, and humanity’s cause of peace and development will prevail.”
Xi also warned that humanity is faced with a choice between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games.” This message was seen as a call for unity and cooperation, while also highlighting China’s growing military might and diplomatic influence.
International Reactions and Implications
The international community reacted to the military parade with a mix of interest and concern. US President Donald Trump’s comments on the parade highlighted the ongoing tensions between the US and China.
Meanwhile, analysts noted that the parade was not only aimed at projecting China’s military might to the outside world but also galvanizing patriotic spirit at home. The event was seen as a display of China’s growing influence and its commitment to becoming a major global power.
