China Holds Grand Military Parade with Putin and Kim in Attendance

BEIJING, Sept 3 (Reuters) - China staged its largest military parade to date on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, with President Xi Jinping flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in a rare show of unity among the three leaders. The event, held on Tiananmen Square and along Chang’an Avenue, featured a 70-minute procession of more than 50,000 troops, 45 formations and a display of advanced weaponry aimed at projecting Beijing’s growing military might amid heightened regional tensions.

Xi reviewed formations of infantry, mechanized units and strategic missiles from an open-topped limousine, declaring that “humanity faces a choice of peace or conflict, dialogue or confrontation, mutual benefit or a zero-sum game.” He vowed that the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable” and positioned China as an alternative global leader challenging U.S. influence.

The parade showcased new hypersonic missiles, mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles, underwater drones and laser air-defense systems, underscoring rapid modernization efforts within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Satellite drones, AI-powered reconnaissance vehicles and “robotic wolves” also featured for the first time, demonstrating China’s emphasis on emerging technologies in future conflicts.

Security in Beijing was tightened weeks in advance, with road closures, drone bans and airport-style scanners at office entrances. Attendance was limited largely to leaders of nations with strained ties to the West: besides Putin and Kim, heads of state from Iran, Pakistan and Belarus observed the ceremony. Most Western leaders stayed away, underscoring a diplomatic divide over China’s rising assertiveness.

Analysts noted that the parade served dual purposes: to reinforce national pride ahead of a crucial Communist Party congress later this year, and to signal to both domestic and international audiences that China’s military strength can no longer be overlooked. Despite its grand scale, questions remain about how effectively the PLA-untested in combat since 1979-would perform under battlefield conditions.