A Military Parade in Beijing Gathered China’s Allies and Showcased New Weapons

Beijing hosted a large-scale military parade on Wednesday under the leadership of Xi Jinping, showcasing fighter jets, missiles, and marching troops. In his speech, the Chinese leader warned rivals against any encroachment on the country’s sovereignty.

The message was underscored by the lineup of guests in the stands: alongside Xi were Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and several other predominantly authoritarian states that openly challenge American dominance in the global order.

To mark the anniversary of the end of World War II, cannons fired 80 salvos. Soldiers carried the Chinese flag along a red carpet laid across Tiananmen Square as the orchestra played the national anthem and spectators waved small flags and saluted. Later, 80,000 doves and an equal number of balloons were released into the sky.

The parade marked the culmination of a weeks-long campaign by the Communist Party to reframe China’s role in World War II and to reinforce the party’s image as the nation’s savior from foreign aggression—namely imperial Japan. By invoking wartime memory, the authorities aim to rally society amid economic uncertainty and rising confrontation with the United States, which Xi Jinping accuses of seeking to contain and suppress China.

“The Chinese nation is a great nation that does not fear tyranny and stands firmly on its own feet,” Xi declared from a podium at Tiananmen Gate, standing above a large portrait of Mao Zedong. He drew a direct link between the sacrifices of World War II and the challenges China faces today.

“When in the past we faced struggles of life and death between justice and evil, light and darkness, progress and reaction, the Chinese people united in hatred of the enemy and rose in resistance,” he said. Xi described today’s strained relations as a new frontier where the choice lies between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, and stressed that China intends to stand on the side of progress.

The ceremony was staged as a symbolic link between the modern Communist Party and its revolutionary past. Beside Xi Jinping, dressed in a Mao-style suit, stood current and former leaders of the country, underscoring continuity from the founder of the People’s Republic.

Later, Xi saluted the troops from the hatch of a Hongqi limousine—a car that evokes both the Mao era and China’s drive for industrial self-reliance. “Greetings, comrades!” “Comrades, you labor for the glory of the nation!” he called out to the soldiers. Turning their heads in perfect unison, they replied in chorus: “Follow the Party! Fight for victory! Display exemplary conduct!” To demonstrate combat readiness, troops with weapons at the ready sprinted past tanks and missile launchers before leaping into armored vehicles.

Vladimir Putin’s presence underscored Moscow and Beijing’s effort to craft a shared historical narrative: both present World War II as proof of their sacrifices and as a foundation for claiming greater influence in the postwar order. “For both Xi and Putin, victory was costly but incomplete. They believe that ‘hegemonic forces’ are still trying to impose an alien model and deny them their rightful place in the world. By invoking wartime memory, they seek to instill future generations with immunity to Western values and to justify the world order they envision,” says Joseph Torigian, associate professor at American University.

Washington’s response was swift. Within minutes of the ceremony, Donald Trump lashed out at Xi, accusing him of ignoring America’s contribution to China’s wartime survival. On his Truth Social page, he wrote that the “real question” was whether Xi would acknowledge “the massive support and the ‘blood’ the United States gave for China’s freedom from a very hostile invader.” He added: “Give my best to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un while you plot against the United States.”

In this way, the parade served not only as an act of remembrance but also as a signal to the West: China was not displaying its past but its ‘unstoppable’ rise.

The parade featured new anti-ship missiles, underwater drones, and unmanned strike aircraft—technologies that highlight the scale of China’s investment in military innovation. Their appearance was a reminder that Beijing is increasingly competing with Washington for military dominance in Asia. In his speech, Xi Jinping effectively issued a warning to Taiwan and its international backers, outlining the risks of any move toward formal independence.

Xi pledged to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing: “The People’s Liberation Army of China has always been a heroic force on which the Party and the people can fully rely.”

The lineup of guests underscored the widening rift between Beijing and the West, especially against the backdrop of China’s closer alignment with Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Absent from the stands were senior representatives of major Western democracies, including the United States. Instead, leaders from many Southeast and Central Asian countries attended, reflecting Beijing’s success in strengthening regional ties.

“Xi seeks recognition of China as a key world power and aims to reshape the international order in line with Chinese interests,” notes Ryan Hass, director of the China Center at the Brookings Institution. “For him, the presence of foreign leaders at the parade is confirmation that this shift is already underway.”

The show of force was accompanied by unprecedented security measures. Many of Beijing’s streets were sealed off well before the event began, with thousands of security personnel deployed across the city. Journalists were gathered as early as three in the morning for equipment checks and then transported to Tiananmen Square three hours before the parade started.

For several days, volunteers wearing red armbands patrolled the city to maintain order and prevent incidents. In Beijing’s old hutongs, workers hung national flags on every house and sent residents messages reminding them to stay vigilant to avoid disturbances or unwelcome news on the day of the parade.

“During this important event, we urge everyone to watch the military parade at home, to support the country through your actions, and to mark this significant day. Avoid large gatherings to reduce risks,” read one such notice.