Beijing, Sept. 3, 2025 — China staged its largest-ever military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and World War II. The event, held at Tiananmen Square, highlighted both military might and shifting geopolitical alignments.

Parade Highlights
The morning ceremony began with troops marching in tight formation along Chang’an Avenue. Chinese President and Commander-in-Chief Xi Jinping inspected the formations before delivering a keynote speech. He declared that “humanity must choose between peace and war,” stressing that “dialogue is better than confrontation” and “cooperation is better than zero-sum competition.”

World Leaders in Attendance
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were among the most prominent guests, standing alongside Xi. Their presence underscored deepening ties among Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang, while most Western leaders stayed away, highlighting the political symbolism of an “Eastern bloc” gathering.

Showcase of Advanced Weaponry
The parade featured a broad display of China’s latest strategic weapons, many revealed publicly for the first time. These included:

Hypersonic missiles

Stealth combat drones (such as the FH-97)

Electronic warfare systems

Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (DF-31AG, DF-41, JL-3)

Underwater drones

A “mystery laser weapon” that drew particular attention
Analysts noted the strong deterrence message embedded in the high-tech arsenal on display.

Political Significance
Beyond commemorating history, the parade served as a platform for China to project its global role. Xi emphasized that China stands “on the right side of history,” pledging to safeguard peace but also to resist any external attempts to contain its rise.

The event was both a show of military strength and a diplomatic statement, reinforcing China’s strategic alignment with Russia and North Korea, while sending a message of defiance to Western powers.