BEIJING, Sept 3 (Reuters)

China held its largest-ever “Victory Day” military parade on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and sending a strong message of deterrence to regional rivals and the United States. President Xi Jinping presided over the 70-minute spectacle on Beijing’s Chang’an Avenue, flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a rare public display of solidarity among the three men.

The parade showcased an array of advanced weaponry, including:

  • The DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile on an eight-axle transporter erector launcher and the upgraded DF-41 ICBM, completing China’s nuclear triad for the first time.
  • Hypersonic glide vehicles mounted on transporter vehicles, capable of evading missile defenses with unpredictable trajectories.
  • Directed energy weapons, featuring both naval-scale laser air defense systems and truck-mounted laser units for ground forces.
  • Uncrewed sea drones, including extra-large underwater vehicles up to 60 feet long, designed for stealthy maritime operations.
  • Battle tanks, reconnaissance drones, cyber and electronic warfare support units, and “robotic canine” ground drones highlighting China’s expanding battlefield automation.

Xi opened the parade with a speech warning that “humanity faces the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” declaring that the Chinese people “firmly stand on the right side of history”. He used the event both to rally domestic nationalism and to project a vision of China as a global power capable of shaping a new world order.

Security was tightened across the capital in the weeks leading up to the event, with road closures, drone bans, and heightened checkpoints near Tiananmen Square. An estimated 50,000 spectators were accommodated in temporary stands, while state media flooded television screens with images of goose-stepping troops, soaring fighter jets, and jubilant crowds releasing white doves and colorful balloons to conclude the ceremony.

Western attendance was minimal, underscoring Beijing’s diplomatic pivot eastward. Aside from Putin and Kim, only a handful of leaders from Russia’s and North Korea’s closest partners were present, while most NATO and EU figures stayed away, reflecting ongoing tensions over trade, Taiwan, and regional security.

Analysts emphasize that while the parade demonstrates China’s industrial capacity and rapid military modernization, the actual combat effectiveness of many showcased systems remains untested. Nonetheless, the display marks a clear signal that Xi Jinping is prepared to leverage China’s growing military might to assert its interests on the global stage.