Beijing showcases hypersonic missiles, drones, and laser defense systems before global leaders, with Xi Jinping declaring China’s rise 'unstoppable.'
China staged one of its most elaborate military parades in decades on Wednesday, marking the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II with an extensive display of its newest defense technologies.
Over ten thousand troops, more than one hundred aircraft, and hundreds of armored vehicles rolled through Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in a carefully choreographed show of power.
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the event alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first time the three had appeared together publicly.
Xi told the assembled troops and dignitaries that China’s rise was “unstoppable” and warned that the world must “choose between peace and war,” promising that China would never be intimidated by outside pressure.
The parade introduced several cutting-edge weapons to the public for the first time.
Among them were the DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile, hypersonic anti-ship missiles, extra-large undersea drones, and mobile truck- and ship-mounted laser air-defense weapons.
Officials emphasized that all equipment was domestically developed and already deployed within the People’s Liberation Army.
Also on display were electronic jamming systems, unmanned combat drones, stealth fighter jets, and missile defense technologies.
More than fifty thousand spectators watched the event in Beijing, while state media emphasized national pride and self-reliance.
Social media within China was filled with patriotic commentary, with users celebrating the nation’s ability to rival Western military powers.
Foreign leaders from around twenty-six countries attended, many representing states seeking closer ties with Beijing and Moscow.
Western nations, including the United States, Japan, and European Union members, declined to participate, underscoring the growing divide in international alignments.
The presence of Putin and Kim lent the parade significant geopolitical weight.
Russia’s leader is expected to hold formal talks with Kim in Beijing, signaling tightening coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang at a time of ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
For Xi, the united appearance with two of Washington’s chief adversaries projected an image of a shifting global balance of power.
Former U.S. President
Donald Trump commented on the spectacle through his Truth Social platform, noting that Xi, Putin, and Kim appeared to be conspiring against the United States.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized America’s unmatched military capacity and has warned adversaries that any threat to U.S. citizens would be met with overwhelming force.
The display also carried sharp regional implications.
Japan, which has branded China its greatest security challenge, reiterated its postwar commitment to peace while accelerating a major military buildup.
Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own, closely monitored the unveiling of new weapons, interpreting them as a message about China’s readiness to enforce its territorial claims by force if necessary.
China’s parade was not only a commemoration of wartime history but also a clear signal of its modern capabilities and ambitions.
By presenting an arsenal of advanced technologies and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia and North Korea, Xi underscored Beijing’s intent to reshape global order and assert military parity with the West.