China showcased its military strength on Wednesday with a large-scale parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. The highly choreographed event featured thousands of troops, advanced tanks, stealth fighters, and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Xi’s Address and Foreign Leaders’ Presence

President Xi Jinping, dressed in a grey Mao suit, presided over the parade as both head of state and commander-in-chief of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). He welcomed foreign dignitaries including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with Chinese military veterans.

In his address, Xi said China would remain committed to peaceful development while warning of the global challenges ahead.
“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” he said, according to the official transcript. He added that China would “stand firmly on the right side of history” and work with the world to build “a shared future for humanity.”

Military Display

From the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Xi watched as formations of the PLA marched past, followed by a showcase of China’s most advanced weaponry. Prominent among them were DF-5 intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, paraded openly through the square.

Overhead, the PLA Air Force staged an aerial display with banners declaring, “Justice will prevail,” “Peace will prevail,” and “The people will win.”

Strategic Messaging

Analysts noted the dual symbolism of the parade: demonstrating China’s military power under Xi’s leadership and signaling international support with the presence of leaders from Russia and North Korea.
“For Xi, the point is to reinforce the impression that China has arrived as a great power,” said Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore.

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