Key Points:
- Historic scale: China’s largest military parade ever held in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025
- Star-studded attendance: 25+ foreign leaders including Putin, Kim Jong Un, and regional allies witness China’s military might
- Advanced weaponry debut: DF-5 intercontinental ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft, and hypersonic weapons showcased publicly
- Global message: Xi Jinping positions China as alternative to US leadership and champion of non-Western nations
- Massive scale: Over 10,000 troops, synchronized formations, and 70-minute weapons display
- Strategic timing: Event commemorates 80th anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender while demonstrating modern Chinese power
New Delhi: In an unprecedented show of military strength, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the nation’s most extensive military parade on Wednesday at Beijing’s iconic Tiananmen Square, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender with a carefully orchestrated display designed to signal China’s emergence as a global superpower.
Historic Display of Military Supremacy
The 70-minute spectacle featured over 10,000 troops from the People’s Liberation Army, Navy, and Air Force, marching in precision formations while advanced weaponry rolled through Chang’an Avenue under Xi’s watchful gaze. Clad in a grey Mao suit, Xi delivered a speech emphasizing China’s commitment to “peaceful development” before reviewing troops from a Chinese-made Hongqi limousine.
“Humanity once more confronts a choice between peace or war, dialogue versus confrontation,” Xi declared from the Gate of Heavenly Peace, positioning China on “the right side of history” while thousands of soldiers stood at attention.
Game-Changing Weapons Revealed
For the first time in a Victory Day parade, China unveiled its most sophisticated military arsenal, including:
Nuclear-Capable Intercontinental Missiles
- DF-5 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads and reaching intercontinental distances
- Hypersonic weapons systems representing China’s cutting-edge missile technology
- Submarine-launched ballistic missiles demonstrating underwater nuclear capability
Next-Generation Combat Systems
- Stealth fighter aircraft showcasing advanced air superiority capabilities
- Large underwater drones for naval warfare operations
- Electronic warfare systems and modern laser weapons
- Anti-ship missiles highlighting maritime combat readiness
Military analysts noted this represents China’s “new generation” armaments, with officials specifically highlighting capabilities designed to counter Western military advantages.
Global Coalition of Non-Western Leaders
The parade’s guest list read like a who’s who of nations challenging Western hegemony, with 26 foreign leaders attending despite notable Western absences. Key attendees included:
Major Power Players
- Vladimir Putin (Russia) – Demonstrating the strengthening China-Russia strategic partnership
- Kim Jong Un (North Korea) – Highlighting the Beijing-Pyongyang alliance
- Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran) – Representing the anti-Western axis
Regional Influence Network
- Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan Prime Minister) and General Asim Munir (Pakistan Army Chief)
- K.P. Sharma Oli (Nepal Prime Minister) and Mohamed Muizzu (Maldives President)
- Leaders from Central Asian nations including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan
- Southeast Asian representation through Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar leadership
Strategic Message to Washington
Beijing orchestrated this display with clear geopolitical intent. Wang Yiwei from Renmin University explained the parade’s dual message: “China aims to communicate clearly: any military coercion against China is futile — don’t even attempt it”.
The timing appears deliberately calculated to demonstrate China’s resilience against isolation and challenge U.S. global dominance. Political analyst Chong at the National University of Singapore observed: “For Xi, the intention is to reinforce that the PRC has emerged as a global power under his stewardship”.
Unprecedented Security and Logistics
Beijing transformed into a fortress for the event, with 230,000 Chinese flags displayed throughout the capital and 80,000 colorful balloons released during the ceremony. Security measures included:
- Residents near Tiananmen Square prohibited from cooking to prevent smoke interference
- Downtown offices ordered to implement work-from-home policies
- Armed police, traffic officers, and plainclothes agents stationed throughout the city
- Pet pigeons, kites, and drones banned from the airspace
Historical Context and Future Implications
This parade surpasses China’s previous major military displays, including the 2015 commemoration and National Day parades. The event serves multiple purposes:
- Domestic legitimacy: Reinforcing Xi’s leadership and the Communist Party’s military control
- Regional influence: Demonstrating China’s role as protector of non-Western nations
- Global positioning: Establishing China as a credible alternative to American hegemony
The massive investment in this display, featuring meticulously planned rehearsals and synchronized movements, reflects China’s determination to be recognized as a premier global power capable of projecting force and influence worldwide.
As fighter jets painted victory messages across Beijing’s sky proclaiming “Justice will prevail” and “Peace will prevail,” Xi’s China sent an unmistakable message: the era of unchallenged Western dominance may be drawing to a close.
