In a dramatic projection of power, China staged its largest-ever military parade this week, marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in World War II. The event saw the rare joint appearance of world leaders Xi Jinping (China), Vladimir Putin (Russia), and Kim Jong-un (North Korea) — a symbolic and highly visible move driven by geopolitics .
 |
| China showcases Dongfeng-5C intercontinental ballistic missiles during the 2025 Victory Day military parade in Beijing, highlighting its expanding nuclear capabilities. |
A Parade Unlike Any Other
This spectacle in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square featured impressive arrays of advanced weaponry: rows of tanks, stealth fighter jets, drones, nuclear-capable missiles, and even a new submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile . Among the hardware, China unveiled the J15-DT, a cutting-edge carrier-based electronic warfare jet .
A Bloc of Power
President Xi Jinping stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Putin and Kim — a public show of solidarity among leaders often seen as opposing the Western-led global order . Other authoritarian leaders – including from Belarus, Iran, and Myanmar – also joined the parade, reinforcing Taiwan’s increasing diplomatic and military isolation .
This is the first time all three leaders (Xi, Putin, Kim) were seen together in public. Their appearance serves as a reminder of China’s central position in this emerging block .
Diplomatic Moves alongside Military Display
Earlier in the week, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Xi announced new initiatives: forming a development bank and launching a global energy cooperation platform with key partners like Russia and India . Indian Prime Minister Modi attended in his first visit to China in seven years, underlining a shifting dynamic in Asia’s regional alliances .
A Choice Between Peace and Power
In a defiant speech, Xi warned that the world is facing "a choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum" . The parade, while celebratory, also carried an unmistakable message of readiness and intent — especially concerning Taiwan, which China continues to claim as a province .
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te responded, stating, "The people of Taiwan cherish peace, and Taiwan does not commemorate peace with the barrel of a gun."
The End of the “Golden Era”
For years, China and the U.S. shared periods of cooperation on issues like trade and climate. However, this event clearly signals that cooperation has given way to strategic rivalry. An embedded quote from analysts captures this shift: “the end of the so-called ‘golden era’ of US-China cooperation” as both countries now jockey for global influence .
Xi’s parade and summit also spotlight China’s emerging foreign policy: supporting nations without demanding democratic reforms or human rights improvements, offering reliability over Western conditionality . Russia, India, and others appear increasingly willing to align with this model.
0 Comments