Camer360

Beijing, September 3, 2025 — China marked the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II with its largest-ever military parade, showcasing advanced weapons and underscoring shifting global alliances.

President Xi Jinping reviewed 45 military formations and unveiled hypersonic missiles, nuclear-capable ballistic systems, underwater drones, and AI-driven armored vehicles. Fighter jets flew in formation spelling the number “80,” while the event concluded with the release of 80,000 doves and balloons symbolizing peace.

Xi delivered a keynote speech, declaring that “only coexistence and mutual support can safeguard global security and eliminate the root causes of war.” He paid tribute to fallen soldiers, emphasized China’s wartime sacrifices, and vowed to accelerate the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army into “world-class forces.”

The event’s most striking image was the joint appearance of Xi alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. The three leaders met on the sidelines, with Kim pledging “fraternal duty” to support Russia, already accused of receiving weapons from Pyongyang for the war in Ukraine.

Notably absent were leaders from the U.S. and Western Europe. Analysts say the guest list — featuring Russia, North Korea, Iran, and African leaders including Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and Congo’s Denis Sassou Nguesso — symbolized China’s vision of a multipolar order challenging Western dominance.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, reacting from abroad, mocked the gathering on social media, sarcastically sending “warmest regards” to Xi, Putin, and Kim “as they conspire against the United States.”

The spectacle blended historical commemoration with geopolitical signaling. For China, it was both a domestic display of unity and pride, and an international assertion of its ambition to reshape the global balance of power.