Xi Jinping Showcases Power Alongside Putin and Kim at Beijing Military Parade

Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, staged a dramatic show of strength on Wednesday at a grand military parade in Beijing. The event, marking 80 years since Japan’s defeat in World War II, became an unmistakable symbol of solidarity among the three leaders.

Western leaders largely kept their distance, leaving Putin and Kim—ostracized in the West over the war in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions—as the chief guests. The spectacle, intended to underline China’s military might and diplomatic reach, came at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and unpredictable policymaking have strained Washington’s ties with both allies and rivals.

“Today, humanity faces a choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, victory or defeat,” Xi told a crowd of more than 50,000 in Tiananmen Square. “The Chinese people stand firmly on the right side of history.”

Seated in an open-top limousine, Xi reviewed troops and cutting-edge weapons, including hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and an armed “robot wolf.” Helicopters and fighter jets thundered overhead carrying banners, before the 70-minute display ended with the release of 80,000 white doves symbolizing peace.

Dressed in a Mao-style tunic, Xi welcomed more than 25 leaders, including Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto, whose surprise attendance came despite political unrest at home. From the reviewing stand, Xi sat between Putin and Kim, chatting frequently as thousands of soldiers and heavy weaponry paraded past—marking the first time the three leaders had appeared together in public.

At a later meeting in Beijing’s state guesthouse, Putin thanked Kim for his support in Ukraine, praising the “courage” of Russian troops. Kim pledged to “do everything possible” to assist Moscow.

As the parade began, Trump posted on Truth Social, reminding Xi that it was the U.S. that had helped secure China’s liberation from Japan during World War II. “Please give my warm regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States,” he wrote, in what the Kremlin later dismissed as a sarcastic remark.

Xi’s Global Vision
Xi framed World War II as a “turning point in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” overcoming the humiliation of Japanese aggression to rise as a global power. Earlier this week, at a regional security summit, he outlined his vision of a new world order, calling for unity against “hegemonism and power politics”—a thinly veiled swipe at Washington.

“Xi believes the tide has turned, and China is once again in the driver’s seat,” said Wen-Ti Sung of the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub in Taipei. “When people talk about uncertainty in the international order, it has come more from Trump’s unilateralism than from China’s so-called ‘wolf warrior diplomacy.’”

At a lavish banquet in the Great Hall of the People following the parade, Xi urged guests to ensure humanity does not “return to the law of the jungle.” Analysts, however, noted that beyond the pomp, the real question is whether Xi, Putin, and Kim intend to deepen their defense ties following recent pacts—moves that could shift Asia-Pacific security dynamics.

During his China visit, Putin signed major energy deals, while Kim used the occasion to bolster indirect backing for his nuclear weapons program. Remarkably, it was the first time in 66 years that a North Korean leader had attended a Chinese military parade. Kim was accompanied on the trip by his daughter, Ju Ae—believed by South Korean intelligence to be his likely successor—though she was not seen at the parade.

Impressive Progress, Lingering Challenges
Over the past two years, more than a dozen senior generals—including some close to Xi—have been purged from the People’s Liberation Army in sweeping anti-corruption campaigns. “The parade lets Xi highlight China’s impressive modernization of its military hardware, while distracting from the challenges within the PLA’s leadership,” said John Zinn of the Brookings Institution.

Analysts also noted the domestic purpose of the display: to boost patriotism and reinforce Xi’s central message that the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.” Reports suggested government officials across China were instructed to watch the parade and submit reflections.