China’s 80th Victory Parade

A Parade of Power

On September 3, 2025, the world’s gaze turned toward Tiananmen Square, where China staged the most ambitious military parade in its modern history. Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Beijing’s spectacle featured over 12,000 troops, rows of armored vehicles, cutting-edge hypersonic missiles, and a dazzling display of air power.

President Xi Jinping, in his speech, declared that humanity stands at a crossroads: “peace or war.” His message was as symbolic as the pageantry—a pointed reminder that China’s growing military capability is not just ceremonial but strategic.

Allies in the Spotlight

Standing alongside Xi were two leaders who made the event far more than a domestic celebration: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Their presence created one of the most striking images of recent geopolitics—three leaders, each at odds with the West, united on China’s stage.

For Putin, embroiled in the prolonged Ukraine war and isolated from much of Europe, the parade was a chance to show he still has powerful friends. For Kim, often sidelined in global diplomacy, it was an opportunity to remind the world that North Korea remains a player in Asia’s balance of power. For Xi, their attendance underscored China’s ambition to lead a coalition outside Western influence.

Observers quickly noted the symbolism of a new “axis of defiance”—not a formal alliance, but a visible alignment of nations challenging U.S. and NATO dominance.

What the Parade Really Meant

The military hardware was impressive, but the underlying message mattered more. Beijing demonstrated that it has the capacity—and the will—to project power regionally and globally. Hypersonic missile systems, stealth aircraft, and naval drones sent a clear signal: China is ready for 21st-century conflict if provoked.

The theme of the parade also emphasized national unity, historical resilience, and the rejection of foreign aggression. By invoking history, China framed its current rise not as expansionist, but as a continuation of past struggles for independence and dignity.

Global Reactions

Western capitals reacted cautiously. U.S. and European officials avoided official attendance, signaling disapproval while downplaying the event’s importance. Yet privately, analysts acknowledged the significance: three leaders—Xi, Putin, and Kim—openly embracing each other on a global stage.

Some described the parade as a “Cold War echo,” recalling moments when military shows of strength defined global rivalries. Others warned that it marks the emergence of a multipolar world, where competing blocs—not a single superpower—set the agenda.

A Changing World Order

For much of the past century, the United States has been the central actor in international security. But the Beijing parade illustrates a shift in global gravity. China is no longer a silent observer in world affairs. Instead, it presents itself as a co-leader of a new order, supported by Russia’s defiance and North Korea’s unpredictability.

Whether this coalition can hold together is uncertain. Historical mistrust runs deep—China, Russia, and North Korea have often competed for influence. But for now, shared opposition to Western dominance provides enough glue to maintain appearances.

The Road Ahead

September 3, 2025, may be remembered not just for its parading troops and missile launches, but as a turning point in geopolitics. The event crystallized an image: Xi, Putin, and Kim standing side by side, smiling, while behind them marched a demonstration of military might.

It was both a celebration of the past and a statement about the future. As the global audience watched, the unspoken question lingered: will this unity lead the world toward peace, as Xi claimed—or toward new conflicts born from rivalry and mistrust?

Final Reflection

The 80th Victory Parade was more than national pride—it was geopolitical theater. It told the world that China and its allies are not stepping back, but stepping forward, even as tensions rise.

And so, as the echoes of marching soldiers faded across Tiananmen Square, the world was left with a message that transcended fireworks and flags: the balance of power is shifting, and the story of the next century may already be unfolding before our eyes.