Beijing witnessed one of its most spectacular military displays in decades as President Xi Jinping presided over a grand parade in Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event was both a commemoration and a powerful demonstration of China’s military and technological might, staged before a global audience.
President Xi, dressed in a grey Mao-style suit, reviewed troops in an open-top black limousine as formations of soldiers, tanks, and missile systems rolled past. With chants of “Comrades, you are working hard!” echoing through the square, Xi underscored the discipline and readiness of the People’s Liberation Army. The parade featured a formidable showcase of weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched JL-3 missiles, anti-drone systems, unmanned aircraft, underwater drones, and space-defense systems. Fighter jets and stealth aircraft soared above in synchronized formations, symbolizing China’s growing dominance across land, sea, air, and space.
Among the invited dignitaries were Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who stood prominently alongside Xi on the reviewing stand. Their presence highlighted Beijing’s closer alignment with Moscow and Pyongyang at a time when Western leaders chose to abstain. The optics reinforced China’s efforts to cement alliances with non-Western powers while presenting a counterbalance to U.S. influence in global geopolitics.
In his address, Xi framed the parade not merely as a military showcase but as a broader message to the world. He emphasized that “humanity faces a choice between peace and war,” positioning China as a nation that seeks peace but is fully capable of defending its sovereignty. The symbolism was clear: China’s rise is tied to its historical victories, and its military modernization reflects its readiness for the future.
Reactions from the West were notably muted. Most Western leaders declined invitations, while former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized the event, accusing Xi of “conspiring with Russia and North Korea” through displays of unity on the parade grounds.
The parade concluded with a striking gesture of symbolism. Tens of thousands of doves and balloons were released into the sky over Tiananmen Square—an image meant to signal peace, even as the day’s military demonstrations sent a powerful reminder of China’s growing global clout.
For Beijing, the event was not only a message to the world but also to its own citizens: a projection of national pride, unity, and confidence in China’s place as a rising global power.
