China Flexes Military Might in Historic Parade as Xi Jinping Hosts Putin and Kim Jong Un
Historic Gathering and Show of Force
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a massive military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, warning the world was facing a choice between peace or war. The event, marking 80 years since Japan’s defeat in World War II, was notably attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, while being largely shunned by Western leaders.
Unprecedented Military Display
The parade, held in the heart of Beijing, showcased new Chinese weaponry ‘displayed to the outside world for the first time.’ Hundreds of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers, alongside ground forces equipped with the latest military technology, were featured in the demonstration.
The event highlighted China’s military innovation through displays of new ship-destroying missiles, undersea drones, and crewless combat planes, demonstrating the country’s growing rivalry with the United States for military dominance in Asia.
Diplomatic Significance
The historic gathering saw Xi seated between Putin and Kim in the viewing gallery, engaging in conversations with both leaders as thousands of troops and military equipment passed before them. This marked the first time the trio had appeared together in public, highlighting the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Strategic Messaging
Standing atop Tiananmen Gate, Xi Jinping delivered a message suggesting that peace is achieved through strength. He presented the world with ‘a stark choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation,’ while asserting that his nation now feared no one. The parade then revealed China’s newest submarine drones, laser weapons, and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Global Implications
Analysts are closely watching whether this gathering of Xi, Putin, and Kim may signal closer defence relations, following recent pacts between Russia and North Korea, and between Beijing and Pyongyang—developments that could potentially alter the military calculus in the Asia-Pacific region.
