Xi showcases military power at Beijing parade with Putin and Kim by his side

Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the country’s largest-ever military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, declaring the world faces a stark choice between “peace or war” as he stood flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The display, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, was a carefully choreographed show of military strength and diplomatic symbolism. Western leaders largely stayed away, leaving Putin and Kim—both isolated internationally over the Ukraine war and nuclear weapons programs—as the most prominent guests.

Addressing more than 50,000 people in Tiananmen Square, Xi said the Chinese people “stand on the right side of history” and called for dialogue over confrontation. Riding in an open-top limousine, he reviewed troops and cutting-edge weaponry including missiles, tanks, drones, and fighter jets. Helicopters flew banners overhead, and the ceremony ended with the release of 80,000 doves and balloons.

Wearing a Mao-style suit, Xi greeted over 20 foreign leaders, including Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, who appeared despite political unrest at home. From the grandstand, Xi was seen conversing frequently with Putin and Kim as the parade passed below.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted online, accusing Xi, Putin, and Kim of “conspiring against the United States,” though he later downplayed the parade’s significance, saying it was not a challenge to Washington. Japan, meanwhile, offered no comment but emphasized its pursuit of “constructive relations” with China.

The parade also underscored Xi’s broader push for a new global order. Earlier this week, he urged resistance to “hegemonism and power politics” at a regional security summit, a clear rebuke to U.S. influence. Analysts say Xi is signaling growing confidence in China’s role as a global power, especially alongside Russia and North Korea, which signed defense pacts with Beijing and Moscow this year.

For Putin, the occasion provided a platform to expand energy deals with China. For Kim, it marked his debut at a major multilateral event and the first North Korean attendance at a Chinese military parade in 66 years. He traveled with his daughter, Ju Ae, though she did not appear at the ceremony.

At home, the spectacle aimed to rally patriotism despite ongoing challenges within China’s armed forces. Dozens of senior generals have been removed in recent years as part of Xi’s anti-corruption drive. “The parade highlights China’s modernization progress while masking persistent internal problems in the PLA,” said Jon Czin of the Brookings Institution.

Beijing imposed sweeping security measures for the event, closing roads, schools, and mobilizing thousands of officials and volunteers nationwide to ensure stability. Civil servants were required to watch the parade and record their reflections.

Calling the nation’s rejuvenation “unstoppable,” Xi framed the commemoration not only as a celebration of history but also as a declaration of China’s future ambitions.