China’s Historic Military Parade Showcases Power, Global Alliances with Putin and Kim Jong Un

Historic Gathering and Show of Strength

Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted a massive military parade in central Beijing, standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The parade marked 80 years since China’s victory over Japan in World War II and featured new military hardware, including nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and laser weapons.

Advanced Military Technology Display

The parade highlighted China’s technological advancement, featuring unmanned combat drones designed to accompany Chinese fifth-generation fighters. Learning from the Ukraine war, China displayed various anti-drone systems, including gun, missile, laser, and microwave systems, creating a layered defensive shield.

The exhibition included maritime capabilities with surface drone ships and carrier-based uncrewed helicopters. China also revealed two submarine drones: the older-model HSU001 and the debut of the larger AJX002.

Global Political Implications

In his speech, Xi Jinping declared that the world faced a choice of “peace or war” and “dialogues or confrontation.” Without directly naming Taiwan, he emphasized the Chinese military’s role in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to CNN military analyst James Stavridis, the display of solidarity between China’s President and Putin is an orchestrated move, part of Xi’s wider effort to establish an alternative world order that can challenge the US and its Western allies.

International Response

The parade drew immediate reaction from US President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social, addressing the leaders: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”

While China has not disclosed the parade’s cost, Taiwan’s estimates suggest Beijing may have spent approximately 36 billion yuan ($5 billion), representing about 1.5% of its official 2025 defense budget of 247 billion yuan.